Welcome back to our special Advent edition of the Daily Devos. Advent means “the arrival.” It is a way to look back and celebrate the Son of God coming to earth to be born as a baby in a manger while we also look forward to His second coming when creation will be redeemed and restored. Through December, we invite you to experience Advent in your own story.

Each week, we will discover a theme or a promise seen in the birth of Jesus that carries us through the “already not yet” as we await the arrival of His eternal Kingdom. This week, we are looking at the promise of PEACE.

Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God. 

I love the Christmas season! I love the decorations and the music - the mounting anticipation as Christmas approaches. I love the holiday drinks and treats at the local coffee shops. I love dusting off my tacky Christmas sweater for its yearly wear. I love the traditions carried out year after year during our cherished times with loved ones. It truly is a special season! If I’m being honest, however, there’s one thing I really DON’T love about this time of year - the time change. For me, there’s a bit of dread surrounding the days being so dark - tiredness and general depressiveness that come with it being dark at 4:45 p.m. Throughout the winter months, I’m itching for sunshine and long days and hoping it will stop getting dark before dinnertime. Anyone else relate?

In today’s passage, we’re going to be looking at a season of darkness - not caused by the time change but by calamity and despair. In today’s passage, we’re reading in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, written by - you guessed it - Isaiah! Maybe you’ve heard bits and pieces of this passage referenced around Christmas or in your favorite Christmas carols; this Book is a word originally given to Isaiah for the Israelites during a time of war, suffering, idolatry, and brokenness about 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, Isaiah prophesied: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has shone light.” The light is Jesus Christ - the light of the world!

After hundreds of years of darkness, Isaiah’s prophecies would be fulfilled in a manger and the promises of God would be revealed through the birth of Jesus. Through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are no longer darkness dwellers, but instead children of the light! When we face confusion, we have a Mighty Counselor. When we are weak, we have a Mighty God. When we feel hopeless, we have an Everlasting Father. When we are anxious, we have the Prince of Peace.

As I said earlier, I love the Christmas season, but this passage is a powerful reminder that it really isn’t all about traditions or warm fuzzies (even though those things are great). Christmas is a promise to God’s people that the darkness of the world has been overcome and that through Jesus Christ, we can experience eternal light, hope, love, peace, and joy!

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Prayer: God, thank You for fulfilling Your promises and sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. Remind me that no darkness will ever overcome Your light. Help me shine Your light into the darkness of this world wherever I go this week. Thank You for the wonderful gift of Christmas! Amen.