Merry Christmas

"The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone."  Isaiah 9:2

Emmanuel.

God with us.

This first part of the passage is not often included.  Normally, we just hear the description of Jesus that comes after - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  I love those phrases, the thought of God made flesh, dwelling with us.  But, what about before that?  Into what kind of world did this God-man enter?  

I submit to you that it was a world much like ours.  A world that was confusing to those who lived in it.  Worse than confusing - disturbing, horrifying, and just plain sad.  A world where innocent life is snuffed out, where mothers bury their children, and where there is sickness, tragedy, and death.

"those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness....."

We live in a land of deep darkness.  I don't really think we are that much different than the generations who have gone before us.  Since the fall, we have drifted further and further from our original purpose.  We have turned our backs and defiantly shaken our fists in the face of the One who loves us so much.  The One who created us and therefore has the right to make the rules.  All He wanted was one thing.  For us to glorify Him.  Simple, it seems, yet apparently not so much.  The sin that entered in way back in the garden still burns an insidious path through our souls.  We can't seem to shake it - even those of us who truly want to.  It is always there - lurking and simmering under the surface, ready to rear its nasty head at the most inopportune times.

Christmas.

One of the most stressful seasons of the year for many of us.  The time that should be "jolly" is often full of tears.  They are streaming at my house as I type these words.  Over tired, too much sugar, too much anticipation, selfishness, desiring things to go the way we planned, too much commercialism.  Whatever the "excuse" the result is the same.

"the people who walked in darkness..."

We walk in darkness and in many ways we will until Jesus returns or calls us home.  However, God offers us a Kingdom that can not be shaken.  He offers us the Kingdom of His great light.  He still stands over our sin and beckons us to come.  He still only truly desires one thing.  That we glorify Him.  Simple really, but not so easy in the day to day.  We have to make wise choices minute by minute.  We have to take up our cross and we have to follow Him.  We have to focus our eyes on Him.  We have to look at His selfless sacrifice and make sacrifices of our own.  Sacrifice our desires, our goals, our ambitions.  Put them on the alter and choose to love.  Love those around us who don't act in a lovely manner.  Alter our goals and plans in order to meet the needs of those who dwell in this land of darkness.  Those who we can touch with the hands and feet of Jesus.

The baby that was born on that night over 2,000 years ago came for one purpose.  To show us the way to the Father.  To show us what sacrificial love looks like.  God entered in.  He was here, He lived in this world of great darkness and on us light has shone.

This Christmas and for every one that follows may we remember that the light has shone on us.  We have the opportunity to glorify the One who created us.  Jesus - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Merry Christmas, may the peace of the season cover you and fill you with everlasting comfort, and may you walk in His glorious Kingdom of Light.