We Have Seen the Great Light

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.

Since the time of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of mankind has walked in darkness and dwelt in a land of gloom.  Why does Isaiah give such a sorry interpretation of humanity’s state of life before Jesus?  He does so for three reasons, the first is that we were lost in sin, i.e. we had no way out of it, and we would always be caught in its web.  The second reason is that he is trying to make the contrast very clear, the contrast between having no hope and that of living redeemed.  The third is to show us that it was God himself who came to be among us, “Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 Jn. 1:5 

This great light that is now shining on us is none other than Jesus himself.  He is the light of the nations, the light of the world, the bright morning star.  So even though we fall to sin we now have a way out, that way out is through Jesus Christ, “If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.  1 Jn. 1:9

Christmas is that time where we share gifts with one another; the gift giving comes from the first gift and the first gift giver, Jesus.  We share because He has abundantly shared with us.  Sometimes, however, the first gift and first gift giver gets lost on us because of everything else that is going on around us, all the fanfare of Christmas.  Please do not misunderstand me, I love Christmas.  I love the lights, the trees, Santa Claus and his little elves, the carols, the seven fishes, exchanging gifts, and all the rest.  Yet, with all of that we are asked to remember the greatest gift otherwise all the other small gifts lose their meaning.  You see the greatest gift does not come wrapped in a box; rather the greatest gift ever given was a little infant lying in a manager wrapped in swaddling clothes, with very few people to acknowledge it in a far away forgotten place called Bethlehem.  That was the very first Christmas, a Christmas that was quiet, solemn, and very intimate.  Remember that as you begin your Christmas festivities, and I am sure they will be lots of fun, remember that quiet place, remember that infant, and the few farm hands who came out to worship him, remember that in your heart while with your family and friends and thank the Lord for giving you the greatest gift you could have ever hoped for:

For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice, both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!