By Leigh Mackenzie
December 15 is the third Sunday in Advent. The winter solstice—the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere—occurs December 21.
After the solstice, days will gradually lengthen. Spring will arrive in three months, along with the return of vibrant life. Summer will be in six months. By then, our days will be swathed in bright sunshine until late in the evening. Spring and summer are a time of growth and production.
The prophet wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).
Jesus is the light the prophet described. Jesus himself testified to this: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The punishment Jesus endured for our sin, the blood he shed for our transgression, were the darkest moments ever witnessed in Heaven or on earth. The sky darkened, as if closing its eyes to the horror of that day. An earthquake shook Calvary.
Three days later, as light dawned on a new day when the Son of God rose from the grave in victory, a new season dawned on mankind. We have forgiveness for sin and can look forward to the endless light of Heaven, where the glory of God is our light and the Son is our lamp.
Communion is a spiritual act of worship, repentance, and reconciliation with God through the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It’s an appropriate time to confess our dark sins as we thank God for his Son, “the light of the world.”
Leigh Mackenzie serves as ministry assistant at The Crossing, a multisite church located in three states across the Midwest and is a writer who blogs at The Church Girl Writes: Jesus in Everything (leighmackenzie.com).
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