Advent – Hanukkah – Christmas: The Light Has Come, Come Lord Jesus!

LIGHT BREAKS INTO DARKNESS:

During this season, something extraordinary happens. Around the world, people begin lighting candles, singing songs of expectation, and remembering the God who breaks into darkness with His light.

Christians enter Advent, the four-week period leading up to Christmas—a season of expectation and preparation.

Our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights—a reminder of God’s miraculous provision and His faithfulness through dark and difficult times.

And all of us prepare our hearts for Christmas, the birth of Jesus—the true Light of the world.

There has been a lot of discussion about what day of the year Jesus was actually born. The truth is, we may not know the exact day when He was born, but we do know that He was born, and He is the Light of the World! He is the Word who dwells among us.

People around the world are celebrating, in some capacity, this Christmas season. That is why it’s important for us as the Church to reflect Christ when there’s so much attention on Christmas.

While these celebrations may seem distinct, together they proclaim a single, unified message:

The Light has come, the Light is coming, and the Light is still shining.

And in the midst of a troubled world, the cry of God’s people remains the same:

“Come, Lord Jesus.”

ADVENT: THE SEASON OF EXPECTATION:

The word Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” It is a season marked by the themes of hope, faith, joy, peace, and love. Advent looks back at Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem, but it also looks forward to His Second Coming as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The dictionary defines Advent as 'the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.' For Christians, Advent is the expectation of Christ Himself. John 1:1–5 teaches us:

“In the beginning was the Word… In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Advent reminds us that the Light of all creation stepped into our world—into flesh, into time, into our darkness—to bring hope. But Advent is not merely sentimental. It is a declaration:

• Christ has come.
• Christ is with us.
• Christ is coming again.

Just as ancient Israel waited in longing for the Messiah, we, too, wait for His return with a holy expectation.

HANUKKAH: A TESTIMONY OF GOD’S LIGHT AND FAITHFULNESS:

Around the same time as Advent, the Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah, an eight-day festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple after foreign oppression. When God’s people found only enough oil for one day, God performed a miracle—causing the light to burn for eight days.

Hanukkah reminds us:

• God provides what seems impossible.
• God sustains us when our oil runs low.
• God calls us to rededicate ourselves to Him.

The menorah candles proclaim the same message as Advent candles:

• God shines His light in darkness.
• God keeps His promises.
• God is faithful across generations.

CHRISTMAS: THE WORD MADE FLESH:

Christmas is the celebration of the greatest miracle of all—the incarnation. John 1:14 declares:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” God did not stay distant. He did not remain far away. He came near.

• He stepped into human history.
• He walked among the broken.
• He dwelt among His people.

Christmas should remind us of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise: Immanuel—God with us. And He didn’t just come to visit; He came to redeem, restore, heal, and save.

JESUS: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD:

One of the central themes tying Advent, Hanukkah, and Christmas together is light. Jesus said in John 8:12:

“I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.”

This is not metaphorical. It is a spiritual reality.

• His light brings life.
• His light brings clarity.
• His light exposes deception.
• His light overcomes darkness.

1 John 1:5 declares: 'God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.' Not only did Jesus bring light to us—He now shines through us.

CHRIST IN US: WE CARRY THE LIGHT:

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14–16:

“You are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven.”

This means:

• The light God placed in you is meant to be seen.
• Your faith, your peace, your joy, your hope—these are testimonies in a dark world.
• Even a small light in a dark room transforms the atmosphere.

This season, many people are discouraged or feeling alone. You might be the only light someone sees. Your presence, your encouragement, your generosity, your prayers—these become candles of hope in someone else’s night. As my friend Alan Splawn says, Advent reminds us of “His essential presence with periodic blessings of His manifest presence made conscious to us in unique and wonderful ways.”

CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN: OUR BLESSED HOPE:

Advent not only points to the past—it points forward to the glorious future. Jesus promised, “I will come again.” The early church lived in constant expectation of Christ’s return. Every generation of believers has echoed that longing. And today, in a world filled with unrest, conflict, and uncertainty, our hearts cry again:

“Come, Lord Jesus.”

Revelation 22:20 ends the entire Bible with these words: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

This is not wishful thinking. It is our blessed hope.

Christ will return.

He will judge wickedness.

He will restore creation.

He will wipe every tear.

He will reign forever.

And until that day, we shine His light.

LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE:

How do we carry the light of Christ this season?

1. Shine Spiritually. Stay in the Word. Walk in holiness. Seek His presence.
2. Shine Relationally. Reach out to someone who is hurting. Forgive. Encourage. Reconcile.
3. Shine Generously. Bless someone in need. Support missions. Give sacrificially.
4. Shine Prayerfully. Pray for revival, for families, for healing, for our nation.
5. Shine Publicly. Don’t hide your faith. Let your actions point people to Jesus.

Even a small flame can change a dark room. Even one obedient believer can change an entire family line. Even one prayer can shift an atmosphere.

THE LIGHT HAS COME — COME, LORD JESUS:

As we celebrate Advent… as our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Hanukkah…

as we prepare our hearts for Christmas… Let us remember:

• The Light has come.
• The Light is with us.
• The Light will come again.

This season, let our hearts echo the cry of the Church through the centuries: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Come into our families.

Come into our communities.

Come into our nation.

Come into our hearts again.

And come in Your glory to make all things new.

The Light has come, and the darkness cannot overcome it. And to that let’s say, “Amen!”