Clothesline 276 "New Light"

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the season of Advent, and the time has come once again when we hear the Gospel message: “You do not know on what day the Lord is coming.” That’s Jesus’ reminder that he will come again as he promised. And we also hear the message from Paul: “Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” The ongoing message in the season of Advent is light.

We all know how difficult it is to function without light. I remember driving in snowstorms without street lights when the electricity was off, and it was frightening not being able to see where I was going. When we are in the dark, we wish we could refocus, energize something within ourselves to compensate

for the loss of light. But it doesn’t work that way. Without light we cannot see. We need light. And we need that special light that can only come from the Spirit of Jesus within each of us.

On my visit to Israel when I was in seminary, we toured the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and light was a very powerful image. Hundreds and hundreds of people were lined up to walk down a narrow stairway into a cave area where the traditional birthplace of Christ is venerated. But before we descended the stairway, we were given a candle—a lit candle—to carry with us into the cave. At the bottom of the stairs, it was dark and cold. But before me, were hundreds of flickering candles! Faces were not very distinguishable, but the light—the light was evident and powerful! To one side was a group singing “O come all ye faithful” in German. On the other side, another group was singing one of their native carols, and very shortly our group gathered together and sang “Silent Night”—all of us holding our lit, flickering candles in that holy place. Even in a foreign land, one small candle in the hands of many peoples and a faith in God united us all together in a common bond. We were all searching, searching for more of that light.

Light has always been a powerful Christian symbol. It reminds us of the light of Christ within us. It reminds us of the season of Advent and Christmas. And it reminds us that our God will always overcome darkness.

Advent is a season of expectation and new light. We anticipate yet again the Incarnation of Jesus as the light of the world. And we seek to renew within ourselves that spark of light which is part of him, the very Presence of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit. The season of Advent calls us to expect the birth of a child in Bethlehem—yes—but it calls us to renew that Presence that is already within our own hearts. So, sweep out the dust, dirt and cobwebs of your soul, put some fresh hay in the manger bed of your heart, and wait for the light to be rekindled. Anticipate his warmth, his glow, his Presence. He is coming soon…