The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.

Matthew 4:16

The Christmas season, the time that celebrates God’s gift of peace to the world, usually feels anything but peaceful. Traffic is crazy, stores are crammed, and impatience is the norm. More rush, less rest. More chaos, less Christ...even though the season is about Him. 

“Advent” means arrival, the coming of the Christ, the period of waiting for His light to come. We wait only four weeks now, to celebrate what generations anticipated for centuries. They waited for a Savior, but when we wait for Christmas, we wait for gifts, more than we wait for the Reason! The Reason, Jesus Himself, gets out-shined by the want, the stuff, the very cause of the craziness, crowds, cramming, and chaos. But maybe that’s the best way to truly experience Advent. Because the only solution for it all is Jesus, the Christ! The only hope came as light, the Light of the World that shines hope and joy and love and peace and LIFE!

This advent season, let’s not just wait—let’s prepare! Let’s get our hearts and minds out of our lists and stores, and away from the bright lights and all that shines this season. Let’s get our hearts fixed on Jesus, the only Gift that satisfies, and the only Light that gives life. Let’s shine His light brighter than ever so it can overpower any darkness and despair. Let’s refuse to deepen the darkness with worry, selfishness, greed, or grumbling. Let’s radiate Jesus. More Christ, less chaos. More rest, less rush. You are loved! 

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12