Bend Toward the Light

Bend Toward the Light

I sit in my living room in the early morning hours.  It’s dark.  As I wait for daylight, I’m reminded that we celebrate the birth of Jesus during the darkest time of the year.  It’s not a coincidence.  Throughout this Advent Season, light and darkness intertwine, quietly inviting us to to Bend Toward the Light.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

A Dark Time of Year

December is a dark month. Yet two significant events converge during Advent and capture my attention: the winter solstice and Christmas.

Each year, a dear friend sends me a congratulatory note when the winter solstice arrives.  She knows that I struggle with dark days. Her simple message reminds me that from here on out, the days will slowly grow longer.  Hope lies ahead.

Just a few days after the winter solstice– the shortest and darkest day of the year– we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  On Christmas Day, we celebrate that the Light of World has come.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  A light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.  Isaiah 9:2 

Light Verses Darkness

I’ll take light over darkness any day.  Light draws us in and captures our attention. It gives us clarity, direction, and focus.  

Jesus is that light.  He is the Light of the World.  He enters a dark world during its darkest season and brings hope.

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.  That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:4-5

Bend Toward the Light

Jesus, the Light of the World, is inviting us closer.  He wants to illuminate our lives.   So, won’t you Bend Toward the Light today?

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the Light of the World.  Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the Light of Life.” John 8:12

Prayer:  

Jesus, thank You for overcoming the darkness and bringing light into our broken world. Thank you that Your light gives me life—both now and forevermore. Amen.

Questions to Consider:

1. How do you Bend Toward the Light in your daily life?
2. Do you struggle with dark days?  How do you walk through them?
3. Is Jesus your light and life?