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

When I think of Advent, one of the strongest images I have is that of light shining into a dark place. A friend remarked on Facebook that the next weeks are the darkest time of the year, and that she doesn’t like that. At this time of year when daylight and sunshine seem scarce, the seasonal changes seem like an extended metaphor for Advent. We long for the light; for the susnhine, and when it shines, as it did today a few times, it is so welcome. That has got to be one of the reasons why Advent is celebrated / observed at this time of year.

I read in Isaiah 9:2-7 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”  This is more than a lack of solar radiation.  Advent is not just suffering for those of us who cannot make it to Hawaii. Many people are living in ‘deep darkness’. Situations and circumstances seem utterly hopeless. In Advent we celebrate the birth of Jesus as the light shining into the darkness of this world. The writer of Matthew, in the New Testament quotes 9:1-2 in Matthew 4:12-17 when Jesus begins his preaching ministry.  In John 1:5 we read that the “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus’ light is not absorbed by the darkness – it extinguishes the darkness.

This is a poem that I wrote for Advent in 2009. I posted it last Lent, on April 2, 2012. Sorry for the rerun, but it fits right now.

Advent

When we sat in darkness,
You came to us in light.
When we lived in helplessness,
You came to us at night.

Yet you were not what we expected.
We had hoped for something else.
God, you came to us the unexpected saviour.

We waited for a warrior;
You came the Prince Of Peace
We sought a mighty power
Which would set our captives free.

You are not what we’d expected;
Helpless babe in young girl’s arms
Lord, you came to us an unexpected saviour.

We sought an end to poverty
You preached to us good news
We wanted vindication
Forgive me if I seem confused.

You are not what I expected
I had prayed for something else
You came to me an unexpected saviour.

Jesus, yes an unexpected saviour.

I long for ease and comfort
You expose my naked soul
And the life I’ve built so carefully
Tear down to make me whole.

You upset my money tables,
Drive my demons into pigs
You are not what I’d expected in a saviour.

Jesus, Heavenly Father,
Holy Spirit, Lord of Lords,
My dreams and hopes and wishes
Are idols I can ill afford.

Come to me so unexpected
Take my rags, but make me yours.
I welcome you Lord Jesus, unexpected Saviour!

JM November 2009