Scripture Verses
Read the context around these key verses when possible!
Reflections
We live in a dark time and a dark place. This was also the case when Isaiah penned the words we just read in the Bible. The darkness he referred to isn’t a darkness in the sky, but a darkness in the heart. In fact, many prophets spoke throughout the Old Testament, and their words fell on people living with this darkness in their hearts. It is the darkness of sin.
“Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world He created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.”
New City Catechism Question 16
Sin is why people hurt other people… why promises get broken… why justice and kindness don’t always appear to win. The wages of sin is death – the greatest darkness of all.
The darkness of sin resides in every human heart born into this world. That is except for the heart of the God-Man, Jesus. In fact, in Him there is no darkness at all. He is the Light of Life, and that is exactly what we need. So, darkness is death, but light is life.
Isaiah and the prophets knew a light was coming into the world to take away the darkness of sin. This light was Jesus. They spoke of Him often, and we will discover some of those prophecies throughout our Advent readings. We live in a time of darkness with great hope because God has kept his promise to bring the True Light, Jesus, into the world.
We must begin Advent with an urgent awareness of darkness because only then can we realize our desperate need for the Light. The darkness was great in the days of the prophets, and it is great is our day too. But Rejoice… Jesus, The Light of Life has come! One day, darkness will be no more.
First Sunday, Lighting the Candles
This first Sunday of Advent, we light the Prophecy Candle to remember that the prophets saw a day coming when the Light would shine. This candle reminds us of hope. We live in the day when the Light has come into the world. Our hope is in Jesus, and we look for the day He will come again!
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
The following are available on Right Now Media:
The Light of the World (John 8:12) – From Seeds Family Worship, Seeds of Faith Album
The Word (John 1:1-14) – From Seeds Family Worship, Jesus Album
Discussion
Turn out all the lights and discuss the qualities of darkness. Turn on the light and see the darkness flee. How is Jesus coming into the world like light coming into darkness?
Note: We begin every night of Advent family worship with a dark room. As we light the candles and then turn on our Christmas lights, we watch the darkness flee and rejoice that Jesus, the Light of Life, has come. As we drive around and see lights adorning houses and buildings this time of year, it reminds us to rejoice that Jesus, the Light of Life, is still breaking into our dark world.
Neighbors & Nations
We are blessed to be a blessing. Whether near or far, God’s purpose is to make His name known so people from every nation will worship Him.
What can our family do today to make God’s name known?
Ideas for December 1
- Pray for the nations – for the families living all around this world. Pray that all will hear about Jesus, the Light of Life.
- Add a craft aspect to your Advent season. Make an Advent Prayer Chain, and pray daily for unreached peoples.
- Pray the good news of Jesus will shine in every dark place.
Seeing Jesus, Advent Wall Sticker Set is a Christmas countdown that provides a visual reminder of each day’s focus to help us see and celebrate Jesus.