Text: Isaiah 9:2-5, Isaiah 60:1-5, John 8:12
When we moved into our new-old house last winter, there was a tiny lamp in the hall bathroom that the previous owners left behind. It’s not a lamp I would have purchased in a store—not one I would have seen and thought, “Oooo. I’ve gotta have this tiny lamp with the beaded fringe!” But it’s a fine lamp, and it provides the perfect amount of light for the small people who stomp down our stairs, half asleep, because they find comfort in using Mama and Papa’s bathroom in the middle of the night. (I guess that’s why? I’m not really sure, come to think of it.)
The lamp is still there, in the exact spot where the family before us left it.
In related news, the light from said lamp shines directly onto my pillow. Every night when I lie down, I settle into the warm covers, turn off my bedside lamp, and plop my head onto the pillow to a tiny but powerful beam of light shining right into my eyes. Somehow, I always, always forget to crack the bathroom door before I go to bed to avoid this. And somehow, in that moment when I’m all comfortable and aching for sleep, that little left-behind lamp becomes the brightest lamp in history.
Isn’t that what it’s like? A ray of light in a darkened room. A baby boy in a stable. Both tell the same truth—
Darkness cannot survive where there is light.
Jesus said it Himself: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). And Isaiah prophesied it before Him: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). When we take that first step to follow Jesus—to repent and believe in the Worthy Lamb—a light switches on inside us, forever changing the landscape of our hearts.
He is the Light of Life. That star shining above Bethlehem means we no longer have to feel our way around in the dark. That cry in the stable means we are not alone. The light has come, and not to condemn but to save!
Our darkness may be thick, but is it forever transformed by the brightness of Christ.
Our secrets are no longer secret. Our shame is no longer hidden. We don’t have to fear our frailty or the dark corners of our hearts. Because of Jesus, we have been brought into the light and covered over with redeeming blankets of grace, grace, grace.
Advent is a season of preparation, a season for making room in our hearts once again for this simple, profound truth: Christ is the light of men. (And women! And children!) He is coming, He has come, He will come again. And you can stand up right where you are.
Whatever you hold, whatever you dread.
Whatever is behind or before or around you.
Whatever your condition, just as you are.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
For an added layer of worship during this sweet season of adoration and expectation, we’ve created a Spotify playlist for Advent 2014! You can find the complete SheReadsTruth | O Come Let Us Adore Him playlist at this link, or listen to today’s track on the player below. Enjoy!
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74 thoughts on "Arise, Shine!"
It’s Christmas Eve…. Everyone around me is all excited and giddy. But I just had a little Christmas party at my house last night so I woke up feeling overwhelmed at the mess, overwhelmed at the knowledge that my fiancé has not wrapped his Christmas presents (which I will probably end up doing in preparation for parties tonight) and I work today… I feel like I’m running running running and don’t/won’t take time to enjoy this holiday. Everything’s so messy. But then… I can find joy in my mess, I do that all the time. I just need to be more aware of the light that is shining on my life and let it shine on through me. *sigh* thank you Jesus
I've been in a season of suffering for a few months now and this morning I'm reminded that the thick darkness that hoovers from time to time can be shattered at the mention of Jesus' name. Christ came to shatter that darkness and I know that I will be delivered from this season in due time. I don't walk in darkness but in light. I love this devotional so much.
I’m so thankful that God is in every part of my life. Including the things I don’t even think he cares about–the things I dread, the things I am ashamed of. It is amazing to know he brings light to all parts of our lives and we are to be excited about it!✨
Thank you for this, it brings more meaning to my Christmas lights this year! He is the Light of this world, and the reason we celebrate this wonderful time of year. May my light shine for you, Jesus!
My 10th grade daughter has a class that is very dark. The behavior and disrespect is disgusting and discouraging. This message reminded us why we left a small private christian school to go to public school. Her tiny light in that class means there is not complete darkness. And His light is shining brighter through her in that class than in a sea of light in the previous school. I’m thankful for her 8 years of private education which prepared her for her next season of life, public high school. Let your light shine☀️
I am a day late on reading this..but this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. He is my light.
It sounds like you were right on time then. Not late :)
“Our darkness may be thick, but is it forever transformed by the brightness of Christ”. Love this! Having come (back) to His light so recently, I still very much remember that darkness! Praise God for His light!
Darkness cannot survive where there is light……..There is a light that was deposited into my soul the day I chose God as my Savior. It is my responsibility to ensure that light continues to shine brightly for all the world to see. We all have gifts and talents… All given to us by God…. All to be used for His Glory. My devotion today is all about staying plugged in. If you don't that light will eventually get dim and for some go out. My prayer today ladies is for your lights to shine brightly to all that you encounter!
“Covered over with redeeming blankets of grace.” Amazing grace, how sweet the sound and the wonderful warmth and comfort of being wrapped in God’s grace. thanks for this visual, Amanda.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:11-12) We fear the darkness, but our Lord doesn’t. The darkness is not dark to Him! His light shines through!
Thank you for this message. I can feel God’s forgiveness through Christ. Yesterday I confessed a dark sin to my husband. He is behaving kindly to me, but is not ready to forgive me. It hurts so much to have hurt him. But I am so thankful to know that Christ died for even this.
Melanie, you took a brave step toward the cross. Praying for healing and restoration in your marriage!
Oh Melanie, sending a hug of comfort. This was very brave and while I do not know you, I’m so very proud of you.
May my light shiner brighter than my dark. Thank you Jesus for covering me in Your grace blanket!! You are the light of my life. No matter the darkness of my life, I know you are brighter than it!
"And you can stand up right where you are.
Whatever you hold, whatever you dread.
Whatever is behind or before or around you.
Whatever your condition, just as you are.
Arise, shine, for your light has come."
It's beautiful that Christ doesn't want the "all cleaned up" version of us; He wants the honest us, the crying-bad-breath-angry-hurt-broken us. He blankets us– the "us" with evil, prone-to-wandering hearts– with His grace; shines a light on our darkness and warms our cold hearts with His love. Because we can't do anything by ourselves– we can't clean ourselves up, truly; we can't warm ourselves, we can't be in the light by ourselves. No. Jesus wants to walk with, warm, and change US. I only pray that every wall aimed at keeping the darkness unfound would be broken down, so that Christ's light can shine on it. I need to be closer to You, Jesus. May we all dance and rejoice in such a beautiful light as Christ's.
I love you all very, very much. Be blessed by His light in your lives today!!
–AnnaLee
It’s amazing how even walking salvation and grace we go through times of darkness and loneliness…that has been my season recently. I’m so thankful for this reminder that Christ’s new life and light and is abundant!
darkness, loneliness, un-happiness: a few words to describe my life lately too (even though there’s so much to be thankful/happy about!). Thankful that God is there no matter what (even when it’s hard to see in the darkness). Thanks for sharing – hope things get better for the both of us!
I’ve walked in darkness and I have seen a great light! Thank You Jesus!
Thank you for this, Amanda Bible. Yes! Amen! We don't need to hide. We can trust Him as His Light is great, searching and finding us to RESCUE us from our faults and foes. God Bless you as you keep relaying the Truth.
“I am the light of the world. Follow me and you will never again walk in darkness because you will have me, the light of life”
My paraphrase of John 8:12
Jesus is so good.
Wonderful study!! Lord, thank you so much for being our light and taking away the darkness. Pass it along to us girls so we can shine that light for you, in all we do. Thank you so much for letting me be a light for some of my customers at Traders yesterday…wow!! Incredible you are Lord, I love you and praise your sweet name.
Darkness cannot survive where there is light. That’s a really powerful image and oh so applicable. Bringing Christ into tough situations, work hardships, anxiety can immediately change the moment. Realizing darkness must FLEE when God is present. Wow. Amen.
I struggle with anxiety and your words touched my heart. Thank you!
Light has been such a theme for me this advent. it feels so good to remember that one day, light will chase away ALL of the darkness. Not an inch will remain.
So thankful for His light – may it shine in – and through – me!
We have a few light fixtures in our house that require more than one bulb. And it's always amazing the difference one bulb makes- one bulb that is out dims, but when replaced makes things so much brighter. Jesus came and our lives are so much brighter.
And we shine brighter in community :) Like this SRT community! Beautiful analogy, Melody!
Yesterday my power was out for….felt like forever! Long enough to get every candle out and light each one, long enough to greatly appreciate electricity. It was so DARK! Everywhere, the street lights -out, the strip mall across the street- dark, the medical clinical -dark. A lot of things went through my head like: this must have been what it was like in Europe in WWII during the blackout, when is my phone going to die?, will the lights come back on before I take my exam tomorrow? Then I started thinking about how dark life can be and same as sitting in a dark room the main goal is to find light, to find hope. Even if all the light you can get comes from a little candle, this becomes more comforting than sitting in a dark room with absolutely no light. I guess this experience really applies to this mornings thought in the fact that we live in a dark world yet we have light, we have hope. I have light in Jesus Christ, I have hope and comfort among the darkness of this world. I cannot imagine my life without this light, this eternal candle filling the dark room. I’m so grateful for this light, this hope. My prayer for today is to share this light with those around me. Thank you so much SRT! Love and faithfulness!
What a great revelation for you. Remember this always
Emilie, thank you so much for sharing this example! It sounds like The Lord has given you a very literal example of His Light! Thankful for you!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Beautiful metaphor, Emilie! How precious is "this little light" of ours! Only, He is not a tiny candle, but is "a light [that] has dawned those living in the land of deep darkness"! How beautiful! It makes me want to spend a sun rise meditating on how Christ has been and is our sun rise! It's so amazing, to know that "God is light" and "in him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5b). Be blessed, Emilie!
–AnnaLee
This post is so encouraging reeling from a day of reminders that I am a weak, fragile, human that is in need of a Savior. While I find encouragement in days like that, a dose of humility is always good, I needed to hear this today. My flesh may be strong (darkness may be thick), but it is forever transformed by the brightness of Christ. Today is a new day, and I can shine with the light of Christ.
Amen Carissa! May we all shine with His light!
–AnnaLee
‘Covered over redeeming blankets of grace…’ I love that visual! I love reading all of your comments to see how it has touched your hearts! This study is wonderful! ❤️
I have never done an Advent Devotional and can I just say I LOVE this so much?! It is so wonderful to prepare my heart for the celebration of the true reason of this season, the Great Light, Jesus.
Emilee, I'm so grateful you're with us! It's such a joy to observe Advent and prepare our hearts for the Great Light! Love to you!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
This is one of many words in a series for me relating to light and darkness. I know I am being called to bring it all into the light. Powerfully written. Thank you. Wonderful to know there are others out there bringing their hearts to the Word and its Writer as well.
I’ve felt a little overcome by darkness lately, thank you for these beautiful words to remind me to see the light! God is so good!
Colleen, praying that His light would shine brightly in your day today! We love having you here!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Reminded if the sweet little medley of “this little light of mine”. How that children’s song packs a powerful message!
Also, how are you ladies getting your profile pictures added? :)
I did it when I set up this account – maybe look in your account settings?
Okay thanks Kat I’ll try!
Hi Meg! I love that song!
To set your profile picture, register your email address at Gravatar.com. That way, any time you comment online with that address, including SheReadsTruth.com and the SRT app, your picture will appear!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Such a beautiful word today. Thanks Amanda Bible Williams.
Kat, that St Francis saying reminds me of another as below. Thanks for sharing!
“Go forth and set the world on fire” – St lgnatius of Loyola
May we use His Light to share His goodness today!
Thank you for sharing! Beautiful
Oh cool! thanks for sharing!
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” -St. Francis of Assisi
Love you ladies! Blessings over your Fridays!
LOVE this, Kat! Thanks so much for sharing these words of encouragement!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
“Darkness cannot survive where there is light.”
The Light will always overcome. Always! We simply have to invite It in! Open the door. Pull back the curtain of sin and shame. And let It warm our hearts and our lives.
Beckey
http://reallyreallyrealhousewives.blogspot.com
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I have been struggling at my work. It gets so stressful being exposed to sin, hatred, oppression. But when reading this, the phrase about light being in us spoke to me. We as Christians must accept what Christ has laid before us. For if you remove the light from the darkness there in NO. LIGHT. We must be light to others who cannot see. Thank you Jesus for revealing this once again to me.
my darkness may be thick
BUT
it is forever transformed by the brightness of Christ
love this today. arise! shine! for The Light has come!
Love this one. "Darkness cannot survive where there is light". I have always felt that this is such an important truth to teach our beauts. They will have bad days and dark seasons, but if they know early on, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there is always light, it'll become second nature and they'll grow in their faith naturally as they'll be able to face anything with confidence of their victory through Christ! Every day in some capacity, I remind these little people to be lights so that others may see Christ too!
In addition, my son has a pajama set with a giant moon on the shirt that glows. Last night, he wandered into our room and all I saw was an illuminated green circle moving into our very dark room. When he climbed in bed and threw the covers over us, he giggled at the green light on our sheets. It brought such joy to him. Light does that. Christ does that. Kind of like the sunny days in this already dreary winter. It just puts an extra pep in people's steps. If only they all knew the extra pep through Christ! Such a good read today! Love! ~ B
This was such a great reminder if the power of Light over darkness. I immediately thought of the loved ones I know who do not know Jesus and that I am believing the light will overcome! It also made me realize that when I feel surrounded by darkness or the evil of the world that I need to cling to the truth that it will not take away the Light in me because it can't. Darkness doesn't have that power because The Light has overcome the darkness!!!
Those glow in the dark sticks, they shine so bright when first opened. They catch the eye in the dark. The longer they are in the dark, the less they shine. But, that is not the end. If you let the dim stick sit near a bright light, it regains it's strength to shine again.
Isaiah 60:5 says "Then you will look and be radiant." We shine so bright after first looking into the Light. Excitement ekes out of us like that lamp in the bathroom. It seems the longer we spend in the darkness, the less our light shines. The sin and the stress start to extinguish the light. When we return to the Light, we are fueled to shine again. To shine in the darkness; to catch the eye of someone searching. "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (Is 60:3).
Isn't that the point? To let our light shine before me that they might see His brightness in us and praise our Father in Heaven.
I love this! Of COURSE we need to be recharged by the true Light of Life. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I love that, Kelly! Thank you so much for sharing that encouraging image with us today. We love having you in our community!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
My boss responded, when I went to her to mention that the light was out in the store cupboard…"Why didn't you smile., all you had to do was smile…." I smile now to think that she meant that I had a room lighting smile….and that I could have found my way in the store cupboard…..lol….She clearly needs to meet Jesus….
Our secrets are no longer secret. Our shame is no longer hidden. We don’t have to fear our frailty or the dark corners of our hearts. Because of Jesus, we have been brought into the light and covered over with redeeming blankets of grace, grace, grace…..GRACE…I want to sing, skip, dance….What Good News, you bring today, Amanda Bible, what wonderful, great and life changing news…
I don't think I'm alone, but speaking for myself, I have a whole heap of stuff, that I could not repeat, to anyone….a whole heap of stuff, that I hide so so well in the wilderness corner of my heart….,stuff, I am too ashamed to even recall to mind, and yet….But God…has given me/ us Jesus, who has brought me and 'my stuff' into the light, not to reveal 'my stuff' but to cover them over with a blanket of redeeming Grace, Grace, Grace….GRACE…
You know when you carry 'stuff', and carry 'stuff' for so long they are there, but hidden, but once in a while, you have that feeling in the pit of your stomach, that holds you accountable, that reminds you, …'I'm still here, in the darkest part, of who you are, just to remind you…' Aagh, well NO more, for…
Whatever I hold, whatever I dread.
Whatever is behind or before or around me
Whatever my condition, just as I am.
.I will Arise, and shine, for my light has come.
Our darkness may be thick, but is it forever transformed by the brightness of Christ. In awe, in Praise, of THE One Who gave it all, oh that I might shine…..
This little heart of mine….I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Shining today, not just my smile but ALL of me….can you guys see me across the water….be exceptionally blessed today, Sisters, as I have been….
Thank you Amanda Bible…
You are a bright light, Tina! Keep shining and your boss, in God's grace, will one day shine, too.
Sister, thank you for sharing! This spoke to me and made things clearer for me to understand. God Bless you and all of you who are here enjoying this wonderful Advent season!
O, that said, we can erase our sin with His blood (light) that purifies just by asking…REMARKABLE, that is praise worth . The good news
is more than Great. What joy fills my soul.
So true, Tina. And Jesus isn’t shining a bright light on our dark stuff to humiliate or shame us – He wants to help us with it and relieve us of our burdens and bondage. He offers grace and liberty and rest. This gives me a completely different perspective on those hidden things I try to ignore.
Amazing !!
I LOVE this study! Jesus, is the Light of the world, and his light and goodness will always shine hope and grace onto even the darkest of our sins!
Sarah, it's such a joy to have you here for this study! Thanks for joining us!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth
Our darkness may be thick, but is it forever transformed by the brightness of Christ.
This is so true and so powerful. There is nothing that Christ can not break through. I love the analogy of grace as a blanket. In the cold darkness that is exactly what I need, layer upon layer of God’s grace!
The grace blanket is such a great visual, loved it too!
I think is my favorite day of the study thus far!!!!
Mine too
And mine! Amanda, you are a great story teller. :) You paint a great picture. Your words always stick with me.
Nancy, we are so glad you joined us today! Grateful The Lord is meeting you here through these words!
xoxo-Kaitlin for She Reads Truth