Deep darkness is unnerving. Maybe you’ve experienced it while camping. The night is moonless, the trees thick overhead. Your campsite is at the far end of the road, and you’ve left your flashlight in the tent. The fire has died. You can see nothing. No silhouettes, no shadows, no specks of light in the distance. Nothing.
You don’t know what’s around you. You’ve lost your bearings. Your eyes strain to adjust, but the futility of it gives you a headache. The darkness is oppressive.
This is the kind of deep darkness the people of Israel walked in—disorienting, oppressive darkness. They had been walking in it so long, they’d lost hope. They’d nearly forgotten what it was to see.
It’s into this darkness that the sun comes blaring over the horizon, heralding a new day. On this day, a Son will be born. He will be a righteous king, and with his reign of light come hope and peace. The atmosphere has changed completely. Rather than feeling disoriented, the people know which way is up. They are certain of what is right, of where they are headed.
This is the hope of Advent. God promises that morning is coming. Whatever our dark, depressing circumstances, we can have confidence in this: a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace is on his way.
Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Prayer
God of light, I can’t wait for your arrival.
I pray that you would shine into the darkest corners of our world and of my life, bringing hope and setting things right.
Amen.