ADVENT LIGHT!

ADVENT LIGHT!

Isa 9:2

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

I suppose it is not too early to begin talking about Christmas. The stores began selling Christmas trees the day after Halloween. This fact is not only a sacrilege but a commentary on our times. Advent is a season of expectant “waiting” and we simply do not like to wait.

The Latin adventus is a translation of the Greek parousia or “coming” and is commonly used in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. But Advent remembers the long season of waiting which was endured by the Hebrews who looked for Messiah to come – and then failed to recognize Him.

John 1:4-5

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

1 John 1:5

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Candles are lit on an Advent wreath to mark the passing of the days of waiting and so Advent is a season of light. I find it personally interesting that the Jews celebrate Hanukah with the lighting of the menorah candlestick. The world lights up for this holiday time ignorantly celebrating what they generally do not understand or acknowledge.

John 3:19-21

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

They brought to Jesus a woman “taken” in adultery – in the very act. After Jesus sent her away redeemed and forgiven he made this declaration:

John 8:12

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Dear Lord, we live in a world of darkness not unlike the one you visited in Bethlehem so long ago. Give us the light of the Gospel so that we might see.  Amen