December 7 | Isaiah 9:2-7

Advent Candles Devotionals

ENGAGING IN THE ADVENT SEASON: WEEK 2 

Welcome to week 2 of the Advent season. If you haven’t implemented a rhythm of devotions this Advent season, it’s not too late to start! Here is an example of a simple rhythm of connecting with God with your family:  

1. Light a candle and together say “We begin this time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.” If you have an advent wreath, you’ll light an additional candle with each new week leading up to Christmas. A new week begins each Sunday. Lighting the Christ Candle in the center on Christmas morning is always a special moment.  

2. Read the assigned Scripture for the day and share any thoughts you have. Advent is a time of preparation to celebrate Christ’s birth. Reflect on the daily passages in light of this special time.   

3. Have someone close in a simple prayer. 

4. Conclude together by saying “We go now in peace, ending this time in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Blow out the candle.   

   
   

You’ll notice that the light of the candles pierces through the darkness and reminds us of the “Light of Christ” that we anticipate during this season. 

---

DAILY READING

Isaiah 9:2-7

---

REFLECTION

LONG NIGHTS, BRIGHT LIGHT

 By Steve Turnbull

It’s dark out there. 

Currently, the northern hemisphere is experiencing its longest nights of the year. The dark hours have slowly been expanding as we inch toward the winter solstice, and I’ll bet you’ve started noticing the darkness impeding on your daily life, whether it’s during your commute or as you struggle to find daylight hours to walk the dog. 

But the darkness we feel is not only a physical darkness. The prophet Isaiah illuminates the reality that a spiritual darkness exists in this world. Wars, political strife, and oppression were all part of the reality of the Israelites’ world, and I think we could probably all agree that we see evidence that this kind of darkness has not yet given way to the dawn. It’s dark outside. And if we’re honest, we know it’s dark within us, too. The sin that permeates our hearts engulfs us, just as it thrust those in Isaiah’s time into utter darkness. 

We have a darkness problem that we cannot solve on our own. 

This is what we mean when we say in our corporate confession that “we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves”—we know the experience of the Israelites who are captive to the powers of darkness around and within them. 

What great news we hear in the beginning of Isaiah 9! The words of Isaiah prophesying the coming of one who would bring light into the darkness are words of hope that the Israelites—and we—have desperately needed. Isaiah’s hearers would have understood these words to point to a coming king whose reign would be characterized by peace, justice, and righteousness. The gospel writers testify to how Jesus has fulfilled this promise beyond what human minds could ever ask or imagine. Jesus’ presence on this earth did not usher in a temporary kingdom, subject to be overthrown by the next ruler up. In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus ushered in the eternal Kingdom of God, overthrowing the power of death’s dark shadows and establishing the reign of the One in whom is all light and life. 

And though darkness may still linger for a time, we who are waiting in this season of Advent know how the story ends. In the final chapters of the book of Revelation, we are given a picture of the full reign of God in his kingdom—and there is no darkness to be found there! The presence of God himself will be our light, and darkness and death will be no more.  

So, take heart, children of God! It may feel dark, but the true Light is coming, a light no darkness can overcome.  

---

PRAYER

Light of the world, shine the light of your face on us. Illuminate the dark places in our lives with your light, and by your Spirit bring new life in our hearts where death has reigned. We look forward to the day when you reign in fullness. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

---

---

THE AUTHOR

Steve Turnbull

Senior Pastor