Counting the Days: December 17, 2025

Light in the Darkness

Linda Lane, M.M.
Assistant Director, One Stop Academic & Career Advising

Read: Isaiah 9:2 and John 1:5

“Advent begins in the dark.”
— Fleming Rutledge (b. AD 1937)

Fleming Rutledge wrote, “Advent begins in the dark.” Those words make me pause. I always think of Advent as a time of warmth, cheer, and anticipation. I guess the truth really is that the Advent season starts in the quiet, dark, and lonely places of our lives.

There are seasons of life where the darkness seems to overwhelm the light. I’ve had times in my life when it feels hard to believe that light still exists. Yet every time I’ve found myself in that space God has found a way to remind me that His light still shines.

The light comes through in small miracles: kindness from a friend or stranger, sunrise after a long night, counting my blessings-these are the ways that we see the light shining from behind the clouds. While darkness doesn’t vanish, it never wins. We reclaim the light from just a simple act of kindness or grace.

This Advent, I’m holding onto the promise that Christ’s light is strong, constant, and unfailing. Even when all I can see is the smallest glimmer, His light is still there; steady and sure.

The New King James Version of John 1:5 states “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” The darkness can’t fathom the light of Christ and how it cannot be overcome by the dark. This season, I’m choosing to trust that no matter how deep the darkness feels, His light will always find a way through.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You so much for sending Your Son here to be the Light in the darkness of this world. Thank You for lighting up my darkness and meeting me where I am. Amen.