*This Advent season of 2023, my family will go through the Psalms. It is our hope that this Advent series will center around the themes of Longing, Deliverance and Hope. We will see the beauty of Christ and God’s sovereign plan in the birth and salvation of Christ. I invite you to join us this Christmas.
December 7, 2023
When Rob and I celebrated our anniversary a couple of years ago, we thought it would be fitting to get couple tattoos. We both felt that it would be cool after all we had been through to get a reminder from Isaiah 9:2 on our arm. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
After the trials and tribulations of human life and, to be honest, with marriage, we are able to say – “The Lord is our light and salvation.” Psalm 27 expounds on what it meant to David to have the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! -Psalm 27
John 1 starts by establishing that Jesus was active in creation at the beginning. John then shares about Jesus coming to this world as light in the darkness.
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.– John 1:4-5
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9
“…into the soul at the new birth divine light is poured as the precursor of salvation; where there is not enough light to see our own darkness and to long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation. Salvation finds us in the dark, but it does not leave us there; it gives light to those who sit in the valley of the shadow of death. After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense our light; he is light within, light around, light reflected from us, and light to be revealed to us.” -Charles Spurgeon
It reminds me of the moment Mary and Joseph take the new baby Jesus to the temple to be dedicated. Simeon has waited his whole life to meet the Messiah. He exclaims:
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a LIGHT FOR REVELATION to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.” -Luke 2:29-32
Jesus is the Light and Salvation whom David calls out to in Psalm 27. What does that mean for us? What does the light of all salvation mean for us living in darkness?
WE SHALL NOT FEAR!
I know all caps seem a little overdramatic, but David is clear. Jesus is our SALVATION. He has overcome the darkness. “Our enemies will stumble and fall.” (verse 2) His birth and resurrection gives us the ability to “dwell in His house forever.” (verse 4) We are protected in times of trouble (verse 5) God does not cast us off or forsake us. We are children of His love!
So as David says, “be strong, and let your heart take courage;”
Prayer
Father God, You are our light and salvation! Your majestic power is unfathomable and neverending! Thank you Jesus for being our light in the darkness! Thank you for cutting through and raining your glory down on us! Thank you for Christmas and your steadfast love! In your precious name, Amen
Additional Resources
If you have younger kids, turn out all the lights and use your flashlight to show how it takes away the darkness. Share how Jesus takes the darkness away for us.
My family knows that Simeon’s song is probably my favorite Christmas song that I listen to religiously-I hope you enjoy as well.
