Advent week Two

Peace

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, CSB).

Then the Lord told Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward Heaven, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward Heaven, and there was thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. One person could not see another, and for three days they did not move from where they were. Yet all the Israelites had light where they lived (Exodus 10:21–23).

Children are often afraid of the dark, as are many adults. The fear is not unreasonable; we live in a spiritually dark world and there are bogeymen waiting for us there. Most of the time, however, we can outwait the dark. Morning comes or we see some lovely illustration of good people caring for one another gives us hope. Sometimes we see stars in the darkness that quell fears for a moment.

Before the great exodus of God’s people from enslavement in Egypt, God used the hand of Moses to call forth heavy darkness, black as a subterranean cave, and thick with humidity. For three days, no one moved for fear of harming themselves or others. There are books and studies about the power of darkness on the mind. Darkness deprives the mind of stimuli that regulate sleep patterns. Darkness changes neurotransmitter releases leading to a stunting a flight or fight response, even in grave danger. Darkness diminishes cognitive…