Advent 2019 #3—Illuminated for Fellowship with God

You are Yahweh, Most High over all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods. Hate evil, you who love Yahweh; for he preserves the souls of his kind ones by snatching them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shining for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous ones, and confess a memory of his value. Psalm 97:9–12

Now this is the gospel message we have heard from Jesus and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. … If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we experience fellowship with God and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5–7

As we prepare for Christmas this year, we would be wise to consider the similar ways the psalmist and the apostle portray our relationship with God. Both of them exalt and commend their experience of fellowship with God, that is of joyfully participating in all that God is doing in his creation, just as he originally intended us to do. Walking in the light allows us to see the world around us with panoramic vision so we can celebrate the good God has done for us and the good he wants us to do in the future.

O God of everlasting life, your light
Illuminates the world so we might scan
With panoramic vision what is right
And good and fits in with your perfect plan.
With light comes gladness for the upright heart;
We walk with you in utter confidence
That you will guard our souls and do your part
To keep us living in obedience.
For Jesus Christ has come to your defense,
So you can justly cast our sin away
And welcome us as children to your side.
With grateful hearts we bless your excellence;
Our thanks for all the love that you display,
The infinite abundance you provide.