I learned about the power of darkness on a family trip to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky many years ago. After what seems a long descent into the earth’s bowels, albeit hemmed in by guardrails and safely lit, we reach an enormous cavern. The air is cold; the view is stunning until the park ranger extinguishes all light. Then, nothing. I hear scattered giggles and gasps, bats fluttering overhead; suddenly, I can’t breathe. When the lights go out, the air goes with it. Darkness suffocates.
I don’t light the advent candles today because I want to remember this darkness. We wait for One who has already come, who is ever-present with us. Yes, we still wait for his promised return, but we have something to hang on to, a Christmas to celebrate because he has been here – a prophetic promise fulfilled. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned – Isaiah 9:2
I think of all those who waited faithfully in the dark through the generations, and I am grateful to them. I think of those who still wait in suffocating, fearful darkness, and I pray for Light to dawn. Come, Lord Jesus.
I wrote the following piece many years ago. I leave it here with you today. on this fifth day of advent.
The Waiting
The world waited
groaning
expecting
crying out for release
reaching up for assurance
desperately stretching into the invisible realm
where He waited.
The One who was promised,
the Seed who would crush the serpent’s head.
The silent flame flickered behind the veil of eternity
as generations held their lamps to
that flame by faith
and centuries of disappointment
could not quench it.
In the dark, lonely nights of suffering
the whispered words drifted on the wings of the wind
“How long, O Lord?”
“How long?”
“How long ’til redemption comes?”
“How long ’til deliverance comes?”
“How long until we see your face?”
“And how will we know you?”
And the light of the flame flashed,
an angel spoke,
a maiden contained the Seed,
and a stable became the birthing room of God.
Redemption invaded a fading world,
deliverance shattered walls of shame,
and the face of God appeared.
In profound darkness, light exploded
and out of anguish, joy was birthed.
And this great joy is for all the people
groaning
expecting
crying out for release
reaching up for assurance
desperately stretching into the invisible realm
where He waits
the One Who was promised,
the One Who has come,
the One who will come again.
Paper Thin Places 