December 21, 2010, Fourth Tuesday in Advent
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-3
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.
What is it like to be in darkness?
We can’t see anything. We’re likely to bump into something, maybe stub our toe on a coffee table. We’re lost without a light shinning to show us a way.
The same is true of spiritual darkness.
We can’t see God. We’re likely to hurt ourselves and others, because we can’t see what is going on in our own lives and how it impacts others. We are lost without a light showing us the way.
We cannot give light our own way out of spiritual darkness. We need help. We need someone to show us the light, the way back to God.
Isaiah reminds us that it is Christ was who was the long-expected light for the people of Israel, and for us. It is Christ who shows us the way out of darkness and out of our sin. This is not done in a way to condemn us, but to bring us back into the image that God had for us and to restore us into relationship with God.
Even though we are in relationship with Christ, we still need that light showing us the way. Who is guiding our path out of darkness? Are we trying to guide our own ship, or are we allowing Christ to light our path as we live in the world?
Lord, let your light shine in our lives. Be our guide our of darkness. Be our light as we live in the world, and await your glorious return. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Shannon Blosser 