We just lit the second Advent candle; and so, this morning, I want to take some time to discuss in detail what the season of Advent is all about. But allow me to first begin with an illustration from the Vietnam War era, which was around the 1960’s. This illustration is from someone who was really annoyed by some Christmas lights that were hanging for way too long on a neighbor’s house.
This individual states, “There was a house near the entrance of our subdivision that kept their Christmas lights burning long after the season was past. They burned through January. Even through the first of February those outside lights burned every night. Finally, about the middle of February, I became a bit critical and said, ‘If I were too lazy to take my Christmas lights down, I think I would at least turn them off at night.’ About the middle of March there was a sign outside of their house that explained why they had left the lights on. It simply said, ‘Welcome home Jimmy.’ We [later] learned [how] that family had a son in Vietnam, and they had unashamedly left their Christmas lights on in anticipation of his return.”(1)
This individual’s conclusion is that “lights are a symbol of hope,” and this is what we feel when we light the candles of Advent. The season of Advent is about anticipation concerning the arrival, or appearing, of the coming deliverer who was foretold by the prophets of old; the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who appeared on the scene bringing with Him redemption and salvation from our sins, and the promise of eternal life.
In Titus chapter 2, we read, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men . . . looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people” (Titus 2:11, 13-14). Though this text is a reference to Christ’s Second Advent, or His Second Coming, it gives us an idea of the “expectation” which surrounds His appearing.
Advent is a celebration of hope and joyous expectation concerning the arrival and appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, with this understanding in mind, let us now stand in honor of God’s Word, as we read Isaiah chapter 60, verses 1-3 and verse 6:
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising . . . 6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.
This passage, right here, is a prophecy about the arrival of the Messiah; but it also refers to the visit of the Wise Men. When we look at the account of the Magi, found in Matthew chapter 2, we read where King Herod plotted to have Jesus killed; and the text says that “he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under” (v. 16). Bible scholars say that Jesus was somewhere around the age of two at the time the Magi arrived, noting how Matthew chapter two refers to Jesus multiple times as “the Child” (vv. 8-9, 11, 13-14, 20-21).
The account of the Magi chronologically falls a couple of years after the birth of Jesus; and as a result, some denominations will only preach about the Magi “after” Christmas, around the beginning of the New Year, in a season they call Epiphany. However, the word “epiphany,” similar to the word “advent,” means “arrival” or “appearing.” In addition, it is a celebration of light.
The chief image of Epiphany is the star in the East whose light guided the Magi to find Jesus. But we also celebrate light during the season of Advent, as we light a candle each week in anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ who is the light of the world (John 8:12). The prophecy about the Magi, in the book of Isaiah, is one that portrays an eager expectation, so I have no qualms in sharing it in connection with Advent. This morning, we are going to learn from Isaiah’s prophecy why we must celebrate the appearing of the light of Christ. We will also learn why we must look to that light for our life.
So, let’s begin by reviewing verses 1-2 of Isaiah’s prophecy: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”
In Matthew chapter 2, verse 2, the wise men inquired of King Herod, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:9-10 tells us of the Magi, “When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
Matthew tells us that a star arose and eventually moved to shine over the place where the young Christ child lived with His parents. Isaiah’s prophecy was shown to be fulfilled in Matthew. When Isaiah said, “Arise, shine,” perhaps it was in reference to the star arising and shining; the star which arose in response to an ever greater light; for His light has come – the light of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Isaiah 60, verse 2, tells us, “For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” This verse tells us that Jesus Christ will shine forth the glory of the Lord in a world of darkness. So, what exactly is meant by the statement “darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people?” What darkness? Well, darkness is used as metaphor for evil. Darkness is seen as representing evil, whereas light is seen as representing good. So, what brought about this point of view?
Well, when we observe the natural world around us, we realize that light is life to many creatures on earth. Without light plants would not grow. Without light human beings and animals would be blind and trip over things, and possibly walk off the edge of a cliff. In total darkness, a person cannot see what is right in front of his face! Being a former cave explorer, I know this for a fact. I remember turning off my helmet lamp, and I couldn’t see my own fingers 1-inch from my eyes. Also, if we did not have light, we would be deficient in certain vitamins necessary for our bodies to function. The contrast between darkness and light in the few examples I just provided show us how darkness has been associated with evil.
The darkness, or evil, that Isaiah spoke of that covers the earth is “sin.” Go back just one chapter in Isaiah, to Isaiah 59:2, and he defines the darkness as sin. Isaiah said, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” The apostle John tells us that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Sin results in separation from God; more specifically, from the light of God. All people are living in spiritual darkness and wandering about in separation from God. Romans 3:23 is very clear on this matter, telling us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
We are all spiritually lost until the light of God shines in our hearts. His light is found in the face of Jesus Christ. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” When the knowledge of Jesus Christ penetrates our mind and heart, we are expected to repent. In 2 Corinthians chapter 4, the apostle Paul said, “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame” (v. 2); and he went on to discuss those who refuse to repent, saying that the gospel is veiled “to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (vv. 3-4). Let us not be as those who are blinded by the darkness of this world.
Darkness can lead to devastating consequences both physically and spiritually; but a little bit of light peeking through the darkness is highly noticeable and can lead to averting disaster. Light is not so noticeable when you are already standing in the light. When you are driving down the highway during the day, and someone has his bright headlights on, it is no big deal, but when night comes, you about run off the road! When you are staring at a computer screen it might hurt your eyes after a few hours, but watch what happens when you turn out the lights! Your eyes start hurting quickly!
But as I said, “A little bit of light peeking through the darkness is highly noticeable.” For example, when you are sitting in a dark theater watching a movie and someone opens the door, watch where all the heads turn! You see, while we are sitting in the light, we do not notice the intrusion of another light, but when we are in the dark, any little bit of light catches our eye. We must intentionally turn away from the light in order not to see it; and even then, it is nearly impossible to miss! This is how Jesus is in a world of darkness. People can’t miss Him. They may choose to ignore His light, but they know He’s there. And He stands as a beacon that will guide us to the light of God the Father.
In Luke 1:78-79, Mary said of Jesus’ birth, “The Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Jesus is the Dayspring from on high. He is like the light in the east over the horizon, as the first rays of morning break forth through the darkness of night. In fact, in His second advent, He will return from the east. Matthew tells us, “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27). Jesus is “the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16), and the lightning that flashes from east to west!
In the hymn “Silent Night,” we sing, “Son of God, love’s pure light; radiant beams from Thy holy face; with the dawn of redeeming grace; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth! Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!” In Luke 2:30-32, Simeon said of Jesus, “For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Jesus is a light prepared, not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well; for all the peoples of the earth. Not one single individual is turned away. If we refuse to come to the light of Christ, it is simply because we love the darkness more, and have chosen to ignore Him.
So, how do people see the light of Christ today? Is it through a guiding star, like in the account of the Magi? Well, not exactly. We probably did not follow a star to church this morning; and we most certainly did not ride a camel! We are here today because someone invited us. We are here because someone shared the Word of God with us and pointed us to Jesus. We are here because a friend, a co-worker, or a pastor shared their faith with us. Those of us who have already received Jesus as Savior and Lord are expected to reflect His light unto others; and we do so by sharing “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). We do so by sharing our personal testimony and the gospel message.
The prophet Daniel said, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Dan 12:3). Every single believer is a star, guiding others unto Christ. Philippians 2:15 says that we should be “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as [stars] in the world.” “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), Jesus said to His disciples, and to each of us as a part of His Church; a city set high on a hill; a beacon beaming out into the streets and homes, reflecting the light of Christ, drawing all people to worship the one true God in the light of His Son.
We are to be like a light house set high on a hill, small yet bright, guiding people through the fog and the storm, shining into the darkness, guiding the nations to where Christ is located to save them. Therefore, “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Time of Reflection
Everyone is on a quest for light, maybe not even realizing it; and some are looking in all the wrong places. They will delve into the New Age movement, seeking “enlightenment.” They might check out some eastern religion, or pursue some cult or human philosophy. Some will even attend church or read the Bible, and discover the light of truth in Jesus, and yet turn their back on Him because they love the darkness more.
If there is someone here this morning who is searching for the light, then look no further. The authentic light, and the genuine truth, is found in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus will forgive our sins if we choose to repent; and He will bestow eternal life on us when we acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the light of the world that will guide us to eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
Those of us who have already found the light of Christ are called to shine forth His light unto others and help turn them to discover the source of our light, which is Jesus Christ. If Jesus is willing to call us the light of the world, and equate us with the light found in Him, then we need not let Him down. Amen? We need to live up to the standard of the high calling that we have received in Christ.
NOTES
(1) David P. Barrett, ed., Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 2002), p. 134.
