“Rise up in splendor and be radiant,
For your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from You!
Look carefully! Darkness blankets the earth, and thick clouds cover the nations,
But Yahweh arises upon you and the brightness of His glory appears over you!
Nations will be attracted to your radiant light
and kings to the sunrise-glory of your new day.”
Isaiah 60:1-3 TPT
This year, in the season of Advent, I’m especially grateful for the promise of light—God’s light, the Light of the World. The skies may be gray and dreary, and our daily allotment of sunshine may be dwindling by the day, but the Light who banishes shadows is rising. And He’s rising on us! The “Dayspring from on high”1 has dawned on us, and He is filling us with His light.
I’ve studied this passage from Isaiah, heard sermons, read—and maybe even written—devotionals about it. But this year my attention is captivated by this truth:
He arises and we shine!
Did you catch it? His light and the brightness of His glory rise on us and become visible on us to the extent that kings and nations are drawn to our brightness. He is the Light of the world,2 and we have become the light of the world3 as well! It originates from Him but emanates from us.
We have the precious privilege of carrying the Lord’s light in the midst of darkness, pain, and shadows. His light has become ours. Trinity indwells us and emits holy brilliance wherever we go. We partner with the Light of the world—and we shine.
His glory arises—you shine,
Dayspring blazes—your flame emits,
Yahweh’s splendor makes you luminous,
Spirit kindles—you are lit.
Rise in radiance! Blaze in brilliance!
Resplendent majesty now imbues.
Dark encroaches, but Light has dawned:
Yahweh’s glory streams from you!
1 Luke 1:78
2 John 8:12
3 Matthew 5:14
~ Kathryn Kircher, writer
~ Laura Strack, painter
