Jesus: The Light in Our Darkness During Advent

Devotional

Day 1: God's Intentional Descent into Darkness

God's intentional descent into the world's darkness is a profound act of love and salvation. The birth of Jesus in the night is not a mere coincidence but a deliberate act that signifies God's presence in our darkest moments. Throughout the Bible, God has shown His presence in the night, from the creation account to the promises made to Abraham and Jacob, and the deliverance of His people from Egypt. These events highlight that God is not distant in our times of trouble but is actively working to bring salvation and hope. Jesus' birth after 400 years of silence marks the end of a long period of waiting, symbolizing that even in silence, God is at work, bringing joy and salvation through the cry of a baby. [00:34]

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV): "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt surrounded by darkness or hopelessness. How can you invite God's presence into that situation today, trusting that He is actively working for your good?

Day 2: Advent as a Season of Acknowledgment

Advent is a season that invites us to confront the darkness and brokenness in our lives and the world. It is a time of watching and waiting, not just for the celebration of Christmas Day, but for the second Advent—the return of Christ. This season reminds us that the current state of the world, with all its messiness, guilt, shame, and disappointment, is temporary. Advent encourages us to acknowledge these realities while holding onto the hope of Christ's return, which promises an end to pain, suffering, and sin. It is a time to reflect on the temporary nature of our struggles and the eternal hope we have in Christ. [03:06]

Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV): "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life or the world that you need to acknowledge before God? How can you actively wait on Him to bring healing and restoration in that area?

Day 3: The "Already and Not Yet" of Christ's Kingdom

We live in the tension of the "already and not yet," where Christ's kingdom has come, but its fullness is yet to be realized. This concept is evident in the ongoing brokenness of the world, where we experience both the presence of Christ's kingdom and the anticipation of its complete fulfillment. Advent points us to the hope of Christ's second coming, where all things will be made new, and His kingdom will be fully established. This hope sustains us as we navigate the challenges and darkness of the present world, reminding us that our current struggles are not the end of the story. [03:48]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: In what ways do you see the "already and not yet" of Christ's kingdom in your life? How can you hold onto the hope of His promises in the midst of current challenges?

Day 4: Hope and Christ are Inseparable

The candles of hope and Christ symbolize the inseparable promise that Jesus will end all pain and suffering. This hope is not just a future expectation but a present reality that we can experience through Jesus' presence with us. Advent reminds us that Jesus is always coming to us, not just in the future, but in the present, through word and sacrament. He comes to be with us, to comfort and forgive us, offering a light in our darkness. This hope is a tangible reality that we can hold onto, knowing that Jesus is with us in every moment. [08:01]

Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Reflection: How can you actively seek and experience the presence of Christ in your daily life today? What practices can you incorporate to remind yourself of the hope you have in Him?

Day 5: Jesus as the Light in Our Darkness

Advent reminds us that Jesus is the light that has dawned for those living in darkness. This light is not just a future hope but a present reality that offers comfort and hope in our darkest moments. Jesus comes for us in our darkness, grief, and shame, bringing hope and light. As we await His second coming, we are assured of His promise never to leave or forsake us. This assurance allows us to live with hope and confidence, knowing that Jesus is with us, guiding us through the darkness and into His marvelous light. [10:53]

John 1:5 (ESV): "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Reflection: What is one area of darkness in your life where you need to invite Jesus' light? How can you intentionally seek His guidance and presence in that area today?

Sermon Summary

The arrival of Jesus in the darkness of night is no accident. It symbolizes God's intentional descent into the world's darkness to bring salvation. This theme is woven throughout the Bible, from the creation account to God's promises to Abraham and Jacob, and the rescue of His people from Egypt—all occurring in the night. The birth of Jesus, after 400 years of silence, marks the end of a long period of waiting and watching, the first Advent. In the silence, God speaks through the cry of a baby, bringing joy amidst the darkness. Jesus comes into the darkness because He is coming for the darkness, addressing the human condition of hopelessness.

Advent is a season that acknowledges the darkness and brokenness of the world. It is a time of watching and waiting, not just for Christmas Day, but for the second Advent—the return of Christ. We live in the "already and not yet," where Christ's kingdom has come, but its fullness is yet to be realized. The world is messy and dark, filled with guilt, shame, and disappointment. Yet, Advent points us to the hope of Christ's second coming, promising an end to pain, suffering, and sin. This hope is symbolized by the candles of hope and Christ, which are inseparable.

Advent reminds us that Jesus is always coming to us, not just in the future, but in the present, through word and sacrament. He comes to be with us, to comfort and forgive us. The promise of Advent is that Jesus is the light in our darkness, a light that has dawned for those living in darkness. This light is not just a future hope but a present reality that we can experience. Jesus is the Advent, the one who comes as we wait for His second coming, promising never to leave or forsake us. In our darkness, grief, and shame, Jesus comes for us, bringing hope and light.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Intentional Descent into Darkness: Jesus' birth in the night symbolizes God's deliberate entry into the world's darkness to bring salvation. This theme is consistent throughout the Bible, highlighting God's presence in our darkest moments. [00:34]
2. Advent as a Season of Acknowledgment: Advent allows us to confront the darkness and brokenness in our lives and the world. It is a time of watching and waiting for Christ's return, reminding us that the current state of the world is temporary. [03:06]
3. The "Already and Not Yet" of Christ's Kingdom: We live in a time where Christ's kingdom has come, but its fullness is yet to be realized. This tension is evident in the world's ongoing brokenness, but Advent points us to the hope of Christ's second coming. [03:48]
4. Hope and Christ are Inseparable: The candles of hope and Christ symbolize the promise that Jesus will end all pain and suffering. This hope is not just for the future but is a present reality that we can experience through Jesus' presence with us. [08:01]
5. Jesus as the Light in Our Darkness: Advent reminds us that Jesus is the light that has dawned for those living in darkness. This light is a present reality, offering comfort and hope in our darkest moments, as we await His second coming. [10:53]
** [10:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - God's Presence in Darkness
[01:14] - Silence and Waiting
[01:51] - The Joy of Birth
[02:34] - Advent's Meaning
[03:06] - Watching and Waiting
[03:48] - The "Already and Not Yet"
[04:31] - Reality of Darkness
[05:09] - Overwhelming Darkness
[05:51] - Hope in Christ's Coming
[06:56] - Temporary Suffering
[08:01] - Hope and Christ
[08:45] - Jesus' Presence with Us
[09:25] - Isaiah's Promise
[10:53] - Light in the Darkness
[12:12] - Conclusion and Hope

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Jesus being born at night? [00:34]
How does the sermon describe the period of 400 years before Jesus' birth? What was the significance of this silence? [01:14]
According to the sermon, what role does Advent play in acknowledging the darkness in our lives and the world? [02:34]
How are the candles of hope and Christ described in the sermon, and what do they symbolize? [08:01]

Interpretation Questions

How does the theme of "God's intentional descent into darkness" reflect the broader narrative of the Bible? [00:34]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that Advent is more than just a countdown to Christmas Day? [03:06]
What does the sermon mean by the "already and not yet" of Christ's kingdom, and how does this concept affect our understanding of the world today? [03:48]
How does the sermon connect the present reality of Jesus' light with the future hope of His second coming? [10:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a period of darkness or silence. How did you experience God's presence during that time? [01:14]
Advent is a time of watching and waiting. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life, especially during challenging times? [03:06]
The sermon mentions the "already and not yet" of Christ's kingdom. How can this understanding help you navigate the brokenness and messiness of the world? [03:48]
The candles of hope and Christ are inseparable. How can you actively seek and share hope in your community this Advent season? [08:01]
Jesus is described as the light in our darkness. What are some practical ways you can invite His light into your daily struggles and challenges? [10:53]
How can you be more aware of Jesus' presence in your life, not just during Advent, but throughout the year? [08:45]
Consider the promise that Jesus will never leave or forsake us. How does this assurance impact your approach to personal grief, shame, or guilt? [10:53]

Sermon Clips

"It's not an accident that God descended to earth in the middle of darkness. The entire story of God descending to earth to involve himself in our lives in order to save us is the story of the Bible. In fact, God baked this into the creation account. At the end of every day, he says, the evening and the morning were the first day." [00:00:05] (29 seconds)

"And when that baby shows up in that manger, God has been silent for 400 years or more. And for some, God has gone missing. God hasn't been talking. There's 400 years of silence and 400 years of darkness. And now there's a baby. And in that 400 years, there's been watching. There's been waiting. Waiting for the promise to come." [00:01:18] (33 seconds)

"Advent allows us not to ignore the darkness. Advent allows us not to ignore the brokenness, the mess that we find ourselves in, the brokenness of the world. Advent meets us where we are in the darkness. And the church throughout history has observed Advent leading up to Christmas, and I think for most of us, us. Along the way, it has simply come to mean that's kind of anticipating Christmas Day." [00:02:49] (31 seconds)

"That's what we're doing in this Christmas time, watching and waiting for the return, the return. That means then, as we wait and as we watch, we're here. We're here in what we call the already and not yet. not yet. Christ's kingdom has already come, but the fullness of it, no, it has not. And we know that every day because we live in the brokenness." [00:03:30] (33 seconds)

"Whatever is wrong with the world, somehow that ends up in my life. Something's wrong in my own life, and I feel like I'm going to suffocate. But Advent points us to this second coming. That's the hope. We've been singing about some of it tonight. this hope of Christ's second coming means it's not always going to be this way." [00:06:04] (30 seconds)

"There is an end to all of this. No more pain, no more suffering, no more sin, no more shame, no more guilt, no more mess. Advent, in this sense, reminds us it's not always going to be this way. What I'm looking at right now, what I'm feeling right now, what I'm experiencing right now, temporary. That's Advent." [00:06:34] (33 seconds)

"These last two candles that we lit, hope and Christ, those two things always go hand in hand. In fact, if you look at it a certain way, you can't see the Christ candle. You can't see them without seeing the hope candle. Cannot stress this enough. Hope and Christ go hand in hand. They're one and the same. They're all bound up with each other." [00:07:07] (28 seconds)

"The beauty of Advent is it reminds us that Jesus is always coming to us. He's coming to be with us. He's coming to sit with us. He's coming to cry with us. He's coming to forgive. and give consolation. The beauty of Advent, the beauty of tonight is that Jesus has promised to be here for you. For you. In the darkness." [00:08:50] (35 seconds)

"Jesus promises to be with us. In fact, he says in his word, I will never leave you or forsake you. So. This is Jesus and his hope for our Advent season. Christmas is not the most wonderful time in the world, and it's okay to say that. But Christmas is also the most wonderful time of the year because that's where we're reminded of our hope." [00:11:31] (30 seconds)

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