The Light Comes Back

The first candle of advent is the symbol of prophecy and hope. 

SCRIPTURE: 

4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  

6There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. 8He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

DEVOTION: 
Advent means coming- especially God's coming.  God did not just make us but is with us.  In our world of quick fixes, the ministry of presence is important even today.  It is this ministry that God has given us in Jesus.  The word “Emmanuel” that the angel talked about means “God with us.” 

The light of the world came into the darkness- God came back for us.  In 1989 the runway lights went off at night at John Wayne International airport in LA.  Planes could not land safely and hundreds of passengers were diverted to other airports far away.  The lights came back on and the planes could land safely.  The light of the world has come back into our world to light up our darkness and show us the way.  I have noticed many dark homes this advent season.  I am asking you to light up yours as a sign of faith.  You don’t have to be gawdy or overdo it, but just let your light shine in a symbol of advent- the light of hope has come- the prophecies and hopes have been fulfilled.  Maybe the light you shine in your home will remind someone that there is hope and there is a light that shines in the darkness.  

PRAYER: 
Lord, thank you for coming back to us.  Help us to come back to you.