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)

There’s a song many of us who worship in Presbyterian churches love, it starts, “Hope is a star, that shines in the night – leading us on, until morning is bright.”

Because hope is like a light that shines in the darkness…it doesn’t vanquish the darkness entirely. But it shines. And it guides. And it leads us forward to a time when morning has come, and all is bright.

The days are dark at this time of year. The night comes early (4:42pm, according to my Weather Network app). We get a little starved for light. Maybe that’s what’s behind the lights we string on trees and around the edges of our houses. Maybe that’s why we light candles during the four Advent Sundays – we just NEED a little extra light in our lives at this time of year.

A lot of darkness has seemed to gather in 2016. Every once in a while it’s like our world goes through something where the darkness just seems more prevalent than it has been. As a race, we seem to experience fear, shock and despair more often as the events of the day are reported. 2016 has been one of those times. It’s dark out there, right now.

And in times of darkness, hope become even more powerful. Even more necessary.

I cling to hope – like a star shining in the night, leading us on until morning is bright. My hope is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The One that the prophet was writing about when he wrote that the people in darkness have seen a great light.

This advent, may you experience that hope. May you know that hope placed in the promises of God is never disappointed. May you hold to the light that shines in the darkness. May you know that the darkness CANNOT put it out.