A Light in the Shadows: Hope for the Darkest Days
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 5 December 2025
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
Welcome to Day 5.
Depending on where you are in the world, December can be a very dark month. Here in the northern hemisphere, the days are short. The sun seems to give up by mid-afternoon, and we spend a lot of our time living in shadows. We drive to work in the dark, and we drive home in the dark. It is no wonder that during this season we are obsessed with fairy lights, candles, and roaring fires. We naturally crave the light.
But the darkness Isaiah describes in today's verse isn't just about the time of day. It is a heaviness of the soul.
He was writing to people who felt hopeless. They were "walking in darkness," confused about where they were going and fearful of what was hiding in the shadows. Perhaps you know that feeling. Maybe you are walking through a season of depression, or grief, or just a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. When we are in that place, it can feel like the sun will never rise again.
This is where the beauty of Advent shines brightest.
Isaiah promises that the people walking in darkness haven't just seen a flicker or a spark; they have seen a "great light." He isn't talking about a philosophy or a new political idea. He is talking about a person. He is talking about Jesus.
Notice that the verse says the light has "dawned" on them. This is such a gentle image. The sun doesn't crash into the world; it rises steadily. It chases away the night simply by being there. Light is powerful because darkness cannot stand against it. You don't need to shovel darkness out of a room; you just need to light a single candle, and the darkness has to flee.
God is with us as our Light. This means He reveals who God really is. Before Jesus, we might have guessed what God was like, perhaps imagining Him as angry or distant. But Jesus shines a light on the Father's heart, showing us love, mercy, and grace.
He also lights up our path. When we are stumbling around, bumping into things and making mistakes, He illuminates the way forward. He doesn't always show us the whole map, but He gives us enough light for the next step.
If you feel like you are living in "deep darkness" today, please know this: the light has dawned. You don't have to generate your own light or pretend to be happy. You just need to turn your face toward Him. He is the Light of the World, and He is with you to guide your feet into the path of peace.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World. We confess that sometimes the darkness feels very close and very heavy. Thank You that You did not leave us in the shadows but sent Jesus to be our great light. Shine into our hearts today. Chase away our fear and our confusion, and help us to walk confidently in the light of Your love. Amen.