In April of this year, people gathered in places where the solar eclipse would have the longest period of darkness. The community where I live was one of those places where we would experience over four minutes of totality as the moon covered the sun. People came from places around the nation to participate in this rare occurrence. People waited for the moment when we would move from a sunlit day to a strange darkness in the middle of the day. When the moment of totality came to pass, there was a quietness in our community that was quickly broken with cheers from people gathered on our town square.
The astronomical event was noteworthy, and I am glad I participated with my family in experiencing the amazing shift from light to dark in the middle of the day. Yet, as we enter the Advent season, I am intrigued at how people came from far and wide to experience the totality of the solar eclipse which brought darkness, while our Advent experience is waiting for the light.
Zechariah in his prophetic words after John the Baptist was born said, “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).
When John the Baptist was born, his father was not pointing to his son as the main character but was pointing the people to the light that would soon be dawning in the baby born in Bethlehem. In the story of the angels proclaiming to the shepherds while they were out tending their flocks by night, the shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened. Then, when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple at the time of purification, Simeon, who has waited to see the Messiah, proclaims in speaking about Jesus, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
During the Advent and Christmas season, we celebrate the coming of the Light. In the present struggles in our world where it seems as though darkness prevails, we know we have the Light who dispels the darkness. We know Jesus is the one who can break through the darkness of evil, division, and hopelessness. John writes, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5). The Light we celebrate coming is the one who brings Life. The darkness of death no longer has dominion in our lives, as Jesus will break the power of sin and bring us life abundantly.
Where is there darkness in your world today? Do you have the hope of Jesus being the Light to dispel that darkness? How can we pray for the Light, while also proclaiming the Light who has come? Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount teaching tells us, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16).
It is my prayer that we will seek and receive the Light that dispels our present darkness in this Advent season. As we receive the Light, we will then live our lives in such a way to dispel darkness around us.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the Light that dispels darkness. There is a lot of darkness in our world today and you have called us to be light amid the darkness. Give us strength to be the light through our words and our actions in this Advent and Christmas season. Amen.