Advent Day Nine

Matthew 4:16

 “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

The great light of day begins not with the appearance of the sun, but with the dawn.  Gradually, almost imperceptibly, astronomers notice light from the sun overcoming that of the faintest stars.  Nautical dawn comes awhile later, when it is still dark enough that sailors can still see most stars but the horizon also becomes apparent.  At civil twilight, the still-hidden sun provides visibility sufficient for many outdoor activities.  Through all of this, the light gradually grows until the sun finally –suddenly! – peeks over the horizon and the day begins.

Because of its anatomy, the middle part of the human eye is best suited for distinguishing color and detail most clearly, but requires a lot more light.  The outer parts of the eye are better suited for distinguishing objects in dimmer environments.  As a result, we can use averted vision to recognize what is otherwise not yet apparent.  Looking a little bit off-center allows us to distinguish the signs of dawn.

Advent is like this.  In Advent, we remember the long waiting for the promised Messiah.  We recognize the light given over time through the prophets, and we reflect the expectancy of the sudden arrival of God-with-us in Jesus.  As we wait, we learn to see a little differently, looking from different angles to better notice what is not yet clear.

In Advent, we remember darkness and hold onto hope in the midst of it, trusting that the Light of the world has come and will come again – and is already making all things new.

Psalm 139:11-12

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,’
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.”