The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land,
the light will shine on them. – Isaiah 9:2 (NASB)
Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him will the Gentiles hope.” Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:12-13 (NASB)
We’re smack-dab in the middle of the first week of Advent. I am imagining us standing with Israel in their long, aching wait for the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecy was spoken into a world that was overshadowed by fear, uncertainty, and longing. God’s people walked in darkness, yet God spoke a promise: a Child would be born, a Light would dawn, and the Reign of Peace would come. Israel waited generation after generation, clinging to God’s word because they believed something essential about God – He keeps His promises.
Paul echoes this truth in Romans: Jesus is the promised heir of David, the One in whom the nations placed their hope. Because God has been faithful in fulfilling His promise of the Messiah, Paul can bless the church with this assurance: the God of hope can fill us – right now – with joy peace and overflowing hope.
Advent invites us to enter this story of hope. It reminds us that biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but confident expectation rooted in God’s covenant faithfulness. If God kept His promise to send Christ, He will keep every promise still unfolding in our lives and in the world.
Advent teaches us how to wait – patiently, faithfully, honestly. Like Israel, we don’t have to look hard around us to see shadows: weariness, conflict, uncertainty, and grief. Yet we wait with hope because the Light has already come. Our waiting is not empty; it is anchored in the God who has acted in history and continues to act in our lives today.
John the Baptist’s call to “prepare the way of the Lord” still echoes in Advent. Preparation is more than holiday busyness; it is interior work. It is clearing space in our hearts, our schedules, our habits, and our desires so Christ can reign where distraction and self-reliance have taken root. Hope prepares us – because people who believe God is faithful live differently.
Isaiah tells us that a great Light has dawned, and Advent teaches us to respond in worship. We celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World – the One who breaks the power of darkness, guides our steps, and brings peace that no circumstances can steal. Worship becomes our witness: Christ has come, Christ is present, and Christ will come again.