The prophet Isaiah yearned for the time when God, acting through a messianic king, would bring justice and peace to the whole world. Looking to that day he said, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” (Isaiah 9:2). The New Testament, describing Jesus as “the Light of the world,” understood him as that long-promised light. He is the light which illuminates every heart willing to be enlightened. He is the light which shows us who God is and who we shall someday be. He is the light for all those willing to risk seeing the very face and heart of God.
So, what do we see in this light sent from eternity in God’s Son? We see love and truth so splendidly meshed that Her truth keeps our love from becoming sentimental while Her love keeps our truth from being cynical and self-righteous. We see justice and mercy laboring side by side for the molding of God’s Peaceable Realm. We see joy and sacrifice poured into the same cup for quenching every thirst for meaning and purpose in life. Yes, we who have walked in darkness, and sometimes still prefer the shadows, have seen a great light, the Light of and for the world. And with that light we have God’s promise that the light shall shine and the darkness of the world (and even the darkness of our souls) will never be able to extinguish it.
Jesus is the Light of the world, but he calls us to also be that light (Matthew 5:14). He commissions us to become light for all those who dwell in a land of deep darkness. We are not allowed just to bask in the light he brings; we must become that light as become his co-conspirators in bringing heaven to earth. He says that one doesn’t put a light under a bushel basket. Rather, light must be placed on a stand to shine its truth, love, hope, and joy. We may not be able or worthy to be light for the whole world. But if we have seen God’s light in Jesus and have chosen to walk by that light, we will illuminate our little part of the world. One by one and step by step, we can spread that light and drive away some of the darkness which plagues our world. In doing so, we continue the Incarnation and become the Body of Christ in our here and now.
An Advent Prayer Concerning Revelation
We thank You, Holy God, for the Light of the world which warms our hearts, guides our paths, and shines before us as a beacon of hope. In Christ You have given us more light that we shall ever use or fully understand. Help us to keep our eyes focused on that light, and give us the courage to walk toward that light all the days of our lives. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.
