Arise, Shine; For Your Light Has Come...

"For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear of you."
(Isaiah 60:2)

The Rev. Kathi Johnson

Midweek Advent Worship – December 17, 2014

Texts: Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-20 and Luke 1:68-79 (Song of Zechariah)

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

+ INJ +

Who do you know that lives in darkness?

This is the time of year that seems to call the darkness out for some people. This Sunday is the shortest day and the longest night. This is the time of year when I as a pastor sometimes find myself telling someone to ignore the Christmas lights and holiday cheer this year, if you have to. Because sometimes the twinkling lights and sparkling cheer are too much to bear.

Who do you know that lives in darkness?

You might think that there is no one in your life who is living in darkness, and maybe – just maybe – that is true. But I think if we are really honest in our relationships with others, we can think of someone – even if it’s an acquaintance – who is living in darkness right now because of whatever circumstances.

Maybe it’s not a thick darkness, like what Isaiah refers to in tonight’s lesson. Sometimes darkness is thin enough that, every so often, some light gets through – like the low clouds we had in the sky today. But I think if we are really honest, each of us in this room could pull up at least one name of one person we know who is living in darkness right now.

The thing with darkness is that even though it isn’t a permanent state, when you are sitting in darkness, it can feel permanent. When we are sitting in thick darkness, it can feel as though light will never shine again.

And so, the question is, who will bear the light for those who live in darkness?

For me - in my darkest hours - it’s been family members and friends, it’s been you, it’s been Steve, it’s even been total strangers.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come,” Isaiah writes. Our light has come – the Light of the World, Jesus. And we are called to be bearers of that light – called, like John the Baptist – called, like so many before us who have carried the light to us and for us when we have sat in darkness ourselves.

Who do you know that lives in darkness?

If it is you – if you are living in darkness - be encouraged. Sit in the darkness for a while if you must, but remember that the light is still there, waiting to pierce your darkness, for the Lord is our everlasting light.

If it is not you – if you are not living in darkness - remember that the Lord is our everlasting light. And remember that we are called to carry that light to those who sit in darkness. 

+ SDG +