This Little Light: An Advent DevotionalSample

Verse: All around my neighbor's house

Theme: Preparation

Traditionally, the second week of Advent centers around preparation or waiting. For centuries, the Israelites waited to see the prophecy about  Messiah come to pass. They heard the prophets like Isaiah who said: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…" And yet, life continued. I imagine they still woke up every day and engaged in mundane tasks. And even though we do not hear much about Messiah between the Old and New Testament, the priests and prophets still performed their temple duties. Routines and practices remained even while a veil of silence and darkness shrouded the world.

However, on this side of the veil in history, preparation looks similar in our day, especially around the holidays. We ready our homes with lights, decorations, food, and gifts for our family, friends, and neighbors. These generous yet mundane acts are beautiful expressions of love and care. They express our desire to make room for what's important to us. For some, it's for the sheer joy of it all. For others, it is just what you do at this time of the year. But for those of us who follow Christ, it is a remembrance and preparation that reminds us of our eternal hope.

We benefit greatly from the faith of those who’ve gone before us. They lived ordinary lives, with extraordinary hope. Simply put, each act of faith, kindness, or hope is a proverbial poke in the veil of darkness between us and both the present and coming generation. Scripture tells us that in the beginning, "….God spoke: "Light!" And the light appeared. God saw that the light was good..." In the beginning, God shone the light into the darkness, and it was good.

This Advent season, how can you prepare yourself and others by shining a light into the world through everyday, mundane acts? Perhaps, in doing so, you will declare His goodness.

Poking A Hole in the Veil: Isaiah prophesied, "…the people walking in darkness have seen a great light." The beautiful reality is this, as Christ-followers, that light now resides IN us as you remember the coming of the Lord Jesus and prepare your heart for his coming again. I want to invite you to make a prophetic declaration of your own. As part of your normal life, take a moment to read and declare this scripture to yourself as a reminder that every act is an opportunity. Be prepared always to give an answer for the hope you have inside.

Matthew 5:14-16 TPT "Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it's placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light.  So don't hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven."