For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6–7).

God promised through Isaiah that He would deliver His people from their darkness. He would send a child. That child would become their great rescuer. He would rule and reign with justice and righteousness forever and ever. The people would again walk in the light.

Advent is not just a celebration of all that is merry and bright; rather, it is a time of remembering the darkness and longingly looking for the arrival of One who will shine into that darkness. It is a time of recognizing and admitting all that is wrong in this world, and of leaning in with longing for the appearance of One to make it right.’

God invites us into a time of daring to hope, to seek peace, joy, and love, and to trust those great promises found in His Word: “From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened to, no eye has seen any God except you who acts on behalf of the one who waits for him.” (Is 64:4). Let us embrace this season by intentionally seeking and acting upon these promises. Step forward in faith—wait, hope, and share God’s light with others.

As witnesses for the Light, we each carry the light of Advent and the light of Christ within us. Let us commit to actively bringing that light to each other and to everyone we meet who, during this winter, lives in darkness.