Advent Brings Light
Dear Listening on the Journey … reader, here we are in the final week of Advent! I hope you will take a little extra time during this busy season to join me today for an Advent reflection and prayer…
In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.… In him there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.
John 1:1, 4 & 5 (NCV)
Yesterday, December 21, 2025, was the official winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the day of the year when there is the least amount of daylight.
It doesn’t seem peculiar to me that yesterday also marked the final Sunday of Advent, the theme of which is LOVE.
While the actual date of his birth is questionable, there is no doubt Jesus was born into a dark world. I think most would probably agree with me that we reside in a dark world. Also, if you’re anything like me, you recognize that sometimes darkness seeps into our very own souls.
This year, Advent has felt exceptionally meaningful. I would like to share a personal Advent experience with you. I do so with hope and prayer that my encounter will resonate and encourage someone reading these words.
During the first week of Advent as I was looking at and thinking about the light of each candle on our Advent wreath, I believe the Spirit dropped a sentence into my mind: Jesus is the light of love. There is nothing earth-shattering about that sentence. It is what most Christ-followers believe, and it is what Scripture teaches. But that morning, these six simple words felt profoundly fresh, like something God wanted me to absorb on a deeper level.
Later that day, I was going about my ordinary-day business when an intrusive “dark” thought entered my mind. I think of these types of thoughts as unwelcome guests that keep showing up at the door of my soul even though I haven’t invited them and truly don’t like them or want them around. Yet perhaps because they are familiar, I allow them entrance.
When the “unwelcomed guest” showed up that first day of Advent, instead of trying to “bring my thoughts captive,” (2 Corinthians 10:5) or pleading with God to remove the thought, I prayed a simple Advent prayer of invitation: “Jesus, Light of LOVE, I invite you into this dark thought.” Immediately and oh, so gently, the intrusive thought dissipated. I imagine Jesus, who said of himself, “I am the LIGHT of the world,” welcomed my invitation.
During this entire season of Advent, I have been inviting the light of Jesus into the dark places in my soul that long for HOPE, PEACE, JOY, or LOVE. Sometimes, I forget to do so, or the outcome is not as immediate as it was that first time. But what I have discovered in this practice is the light Jesus brings not only dilutes the darkness, but at times produces an illumination, which helps me see situations and solutions with new clarity.
Even though I am not a Bible scholar, educated theologian, nor preacher, I am going to get a little exegetical right now. (If you don’t know what that means, I hope you’ll take time to look it up! 😊)
Advent represents the “coming” of the incarnate Jesus, who was fully God and fully human and who humbled himself to leave Heaven and come to earth as a tiny helpless babe. Jesus’ LIGHT was the exact reflection of God’s LOVE, not only to the world but to ordinary folks like you and me who often grumble about, fumble up, or stumble through our days.
I lit a candle, representing Jesus’ light of love, and paused to pray for peace during our trip to Rome in 2023.
I close today’s post with this prayer to Jesus, who I believe loves to bring light into the dark places of our world.
Advent Prayer
Jesus, Light of the World,
Your advent brought the light of HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE.
Thank you!
When darkness seeps into my soul and into our world,
I invite you, Light of Hope, to enter points of despair.
I invite you, Light of Peace, to illuminate spaces of dark turmoil.
I invite you, Light of Joy, to replace tears with laughter.
Above all else, I invite you, Jesus,
To reform my heart, my family, our community, nation, and the world
With the LIGHT OF YOUR LOVE!
Amen
May our souls be surprised by Advent light and love as we journey into Christmas!
