Advent Devotions
Week Two: The Light Is Come
Sunday (December 5, 2021)
At Christmas we are busy giving and receiving gifts. We do our best to choose gifts our loved ones will enjoy, but James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
The Father of lights–what an unusual way to describe God, yet it is a common theme of Scripture. The Bible tells us that God is light (1 John 1:5) and that He dwells in unapproachable light (1 Tim. 6:16). The Psalmist tells us that God covers himself with light as with a garment (Ps. 104:2) and that those who walk in the light of His face are blessed (Ps. 89:15).
The Messiah is described as being a star that would come out of Jacob (Num. 24:17). At the birth of Jesus the wise men said, We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him (Mt. 2:2). At the very close of the Book of Revelation Jesus says, I am . . . the bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).
God’s presence is often associated with great brightness. God is not only light, but in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:15). In God there is nothing impure, nothing to dim His goodness.
In Jesus we have all the light, all the purity, of God Himself, come into the world to live among us–come into the world to show us the Father.
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 (NIV)
Prayer Thank you, God, for sending the Light of Your presence into this dark world.
Monday
The candles of Advent remind us of the light God’s presence brings into our life.
When the people of Israel were wandering in the desert, God’s presence was manifest by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night–light which could be seen.
During this time in the desert God gave Moses very specific directions for building a place of worship. The layout of the tabernacle demonstrated how a sinful people were to approach a holy God.
As one left the outer court of the tabernacle and parted the heavy curtains to enter the Holy Place, he found the room brightly lit by a golden candlestick.
The rabbis interpreted this light as a symbol of Israel and taught that their mission was to be a light to the world until Messiah came; then, He would be a light to all nations. Imagine what they thought when Jesus stood among them and said, I am the light of the world (John 8:12).
When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple to be consecrated to God, He was taken in the arms of a righteous old man named Simeon. The Spirit of God was on Simeon and as he gazed at the baby he praised God, saying,
Lord, you are now letting your servant depart in peace according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation, that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32
Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for coming into the world as the light to show us the way to the Father.
Tuesday
Do you sometimes feel unable to do what God asks of you?
When the tabernacle was built God commanded Moses to keep the candlestick burning at all times. The children of Israel were not always faithful in doing this. Sometimes God’s presence seemed far removed from them, as when they were ruled by foreign powers.
One such time was in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes conquered Jerusalem and set up idols in the temple. For three years the Maccabees (the Jewish army) fought to regain the temple. After their victory the Jews went in to cleanse the temple and restore it as a place of worship. However, they found only enough oil there to light the candlestick for one day. It would take a week to get more. According to God’s Law it should burn continually. What to do? But where God requires, He always provides a way. The meager supply of oil miraculously lasted a full eight days until more could be obtained.
Today the Jewish people still celebrate this miracle of God’s provision. They call this celebration Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah lasts for eight days–one for each day the oil miraculously burned. Each day a new candle is lit on the menorah until all eight are burning brightly.
As we kindle the Candle of Light, let us remember that God always provides what we need in order to accomplish His will.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Prayer Please give us the faith, Lord, truly to believe that You will supply our every need.`
Wednesday
Just before the birth of Jesus, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and sang a song of praise and prophecy. Zechariah concluded his song by proclaiming that the Lord was coming to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79).
Oh, how this world needs a light to guide our feet into the path of peace!
Nearly 700 years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied that one day a Child would be born who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus is that Prince of Peace Who lights our path and guides us into the way of peace and truth. Without the light of God, we stumble around in confusion. We set off in one direction, seeking answers to our questions and solutions to our problems. We grope around in the darkness until we hit a brick wall, then turn and stumble down another path which looks inviting and holds promise–only to find it also ends in emptiness and disillusionment.
As you light the Advent candles this year and as you see the beautiful lights of Christmas, remember that you need not stumble around in darkness, for Jesus said,
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12b
Prayer We ask you, dear Lord, to light our path and show us Your best way for our lives.
Thursday
When all else fails
. . . read the directions.
Oh, how much pain we could spare ourselves by studying God’s directions for our life!
Jesus said, as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). For a time He lived among us, showing us the way to live, guiding us to the Father.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Even though the Word no longer dwells among us in the form of a man, we still have God’s Word to light our path and guide us through life.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8
How blessed we are! Not only did God send Jesus to show us the way, He also gave us His Word to teach us His ways. We don’t need to wander in darkness and confusion.
Come. . . let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5
Prayer Thank You, God, for giving us a guide for life instead of leaving us to stumble through on our own.
Friday
Have you ever been alone in a dark closet?
That is what our lives are like without Jesus. This Christmas He comes offering you a light, but until you take it and turn it on, you will continue to be in darkness.
Jesus said,
…Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light…I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12:35-36, 46
Put your trust in God while His Spirit is calling you–before the darkness overtakes you. This Christmas accept Christ’s offer of salvation and let the light of God fill your life.
When we pass from darkness into light we become God’s dear children. We also receive a special calling.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for the great salvation which You offer to us. Come into my heart this Christmas and live within me always.
Saturday
As we light the Advent candles, we are again reminded that Jesus is the light of the world–the One Who came to bring the light of God’s love to all people. As His followers, Jesus tells us that we are also to be light in the world.
…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Mt. 5:16
Ephesians 2:8, 9 make it clear that we are saved by God’s grace alone:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Yet, the very next verse goes on to say:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
We are God’s workmanship, His love poem, to a hurting world. Our lives are to reflect His light.
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
As God’s love and light fill our hearts, let us spread that love to those around us. This Christmas, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
Prayer Please teach me, Lord, how You would have me show Your light to others this Christmas.
*Scripture references are in the ESV unless otherwise noted.