Advent reminds us that light is most powerful when it breaks through darkness. In our nightly prayer and devotional, Candice Lucey recalls family Christmases spent with dear friends — nights filled with laughter, good food, and one unforgettable dessert: Cherries Jubilee. In the quiet darkness of the countryside, the flickering flames of the dessert’s fiery display illuminated the room — a vivid picture of light overcoming darkness.

This image beautifully mirrors the message of Isaiah 9:2: those who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The story of Mary and Joseph was one of faith in the midst of uncertainty and hardship. Their obedience to God shone brightly against the shadow of cultural shame and difficult circumstances. Their faith reminds us that God’s light often appears most radiant in our darkest hours.

Candice invites us to resist the temptation to sanitize or sentimentalize the Advent story. It was filled with real fear, misunderstanding, and struggle. Yet it was in that darkness that God’s glory was revealed through the birth of Jesus — the Light of the World.

Just as God guided Mary and Joseph through their difficult journey, He also leads us through our seasons of suffering. When life feels heavy or unclear, Christ’s light still pierces the night, reminding us that He is with us, working in us, and guiding us toward His eternal Kingdom.

Even when we can’t see the outcome, we can trust that the same God who preserved Mary and Joseph is faithfully illuminating our path today.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• God’s light shines brightest in the darkest places.

• Advent reminds us to anticipate Christ’s coming — both His birth and His return — with faith and hope.

• Mary’s and Joseph’s obedience reveals how light can emerge from ordinary, difficult circumstances.

• Our suffering is never wasted; God uses it to strengthen faith and deepen empathy.

• Christ’s light transforms despair into peace, fear into hope, and sorrow into joy.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• Isaiah 9:2

• Revelation 22:5

• Jeremiah 29:11

• Matthew 26:39

• John 8:12

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18

YOUR EVENING PRAYER

Lord,
This Advent season, help me resist the urge to only pray for my darkness to disappear. Instead, teach me to seek Your light within it. Just as Jesus prayed, “Not as I will, but as You will,” help me to submit to Your plan with faith and trust. Thank You for using my hardships to reveal Your peace, presence, and power. I praise You for being the Light of the World — the One who brings joy, hope, and transformation even in my darkest moments.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Be a light for someone walking in darkness.
   Look for opportunities this Advent to share Christ’s love with someone who feels lost or alone.

2. Remember how God met you in past trials.
   Reflect on difficult seasons and recall how His faithfulness sustained you. Let those memories fuel your hope today.

3. Find purpose in your pain.
   Suffering refines and sanctifies. Praise God through it, trusting that He is transforming your heart and drawing you closer to Him.

CALL TO ACTION

• Subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer for nightly devotionals that bring Scripture into your evening routine.

• Visit LifeAudio.com for more podcasts and Bible-based reflections to deepen your walk with Christ.

• Share this Advent prayer with a friend or family member who needs a reminder that the Light of Christ still shines in the darkness.

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