This holiday season is unlike any other. Throughout this season, and as we move into a new year, I pray and wish you moments of peace amid the difficulties, connections with family and friends online or in person, the warmth of memories from holidays past, and wonderful glimpses of the joy that still lives under the surface.
Many hearts are filled with sadness and fear today because of the inability to gather with family and friends and the loss of security and safety. Many have lost their loved ones. Plans and dreams for the family were shattered including graduations, weddings, vacations, and now having to let go of long-standing family holiday traditions.
Jesus was born in a time similar to this and is born for times such as this.
The good news is that In the midst of darkness, we rejoice that we have an Everlasting Light – JESUS. Christmas teaches us that even when things seem dark, we can trust the everlasting light.
In the time of Isaiah when the nation was in the lowest and darkest point politically and spiritually, he prophesied of the coming messiah.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2) and later declares, “The LORD will be your everlasting light” (Isaiah 60:20).
Isaiah prophesied to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. Instead of serving Him with humility and offering love to their neighbors, the nation of Judah offered meaningless sacrifices in God’s temple at Jerusalem while committing injustices throughout the nation. The people of Judah turned their backs on God and alienated themselves from Him, which created the need for Isaiah’s pronouncements of judgment — declarations made in the hope that God’s chosen people would return to Him.
In the opening of the gospels, the prophecy was fulfilled and Jesus was introduced. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-4).
Jesus Christ came to be the Light of the world, to reveal the knowledge and glory of God, and to shine brightly in a world darkened and dominated by sin. Anyone who comes to him will never be forsaken and Jesus will be the light of your life, not only this christmas, but throughout eternity.
If you feel this Christmas is so dark and days are blue, make it your prayer today that Jesus Christ the everlasting light will shine through you, in both your words and deeds, and even in your countenance, in these dark hours of our history.
Jesus is our everlasting Light! Merry Christmas everyone.