Light Is Greater Than Darkness - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 10

Light Is Greater Than Darkness
By Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2, NIV

Underneath the dark winter sky in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, lights from the Christmas market outside the cathedral dispelled the surrounding darkness. I looked up to see an Advent wreath on top of a pole, glowing brightly with all of its candles lit around a circle of fir tree branches. It was attracting the attention of many people at the market, who also stopped to look up when they noticed it. The Advent wreath tradition began in Germany before it gained popularity worldwide. Lighting candles on an Advent wreath is a tangible way to celebrate the power of God’s light overcoming darkness in this fallen world. 

Advent is a sacred time of preparing for Christmas as we reflect on Jesus, our Savior, coming into the world. The prophet Isaiah’s words in Isaiah 9:2 promise the dawning of a great light. This great light is not just a faint glimmer of hope; it’s the radiant brilliance of God’s presence breaking through the darkness. This prophecy – which has been fulfilled in Jesus, the Light of the World – reminds us that God’s light is greater than darkness. Even in the darkest times we face, God’s light can dispel the darkness around us.

Light has a unique and undeniable power over darkness, both physically and spiritually. Just as a single candle can illuminate a dark room, the presence of Jesus in our lives chases away shadows. Physically, darkness is not an active force; it’s only the absence of light. Spiritually, sin and separation from God create a spiritual darkness, but Jesus breaks that darkness, illuminating our lives with hope and purpose. 

Advent wreaths have become a beloved symbol of this truth. As we light each candle, we remember the unstoppable power of God’s light. We begin in darkness, but with each passing week, the light grows brighter, symbolizing the coming of Jesus, the true Light. Each candle marks a step closer to Christmas, and with each flame, we witness a reminder that the light of holiness dispels the darkness of evil around us.

Our hope in Jesus is strong because he has chosen to reveal his great love to us. Just as a candle doesn’t rely on our ability to see it to shine, Jesus’s love and light are not diminished by our circumstances. No matter how dim our spiritual vision is or how significant our struggles are, Jesus is always there for us. He shines brightly and reliably, calling us out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

As we go through Advent, each candle we light reminds us that light is stronger than darkness. The flame flickering on the Advent wreath is a reminder that Jesus’s love burns brighter than any challenge or sadness we face. This light invites us to renew our relationships with Jesus and draws us to the warmth and brightness that only God’s love provides. 

In our dark, fallen world that’s full of suffering, Jesus’s light highlights the reality of the hope we have in relationships with him. As Isaiah prophesied, the people walking in darkness have indeed seen a great light – and that light is Jesus, who still shines for each of us today. Each week, as the Advent candles grow brighter, we’re reminded that Jesus’ presence in our lives grows greater the more we invite him in. 

So, when we light candles in our Advent wreaths this season, let’s remember that God’s light has arrived, and it’s greater than any darkness we may face. The candlelight can remind us of the real hope we have in our Savior, who has conquered darkness once and for all. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how God’s light is greater than the darkness around you, reflect on these questions: 

• In what ways does focusing on Jesus as the Light of the World give you hope?
• What darkness are you dealing with in your life right now? How can you rely on God to help you overcome those challenges?
• How can you reflect God’s light to encourage the people around you as they deal with the darkness of this fallen world? 

Further Reading:
John 8:12
Psalm 27:1
John 1:5
1 Peter 2:9
Matthew 5:14-16

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/bzzup 

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.

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