The Light Has Come

ust a few days ago we went through the shortest day of the year. For many these dark and dreary days can lead to difficulty, and in some cases, even seasonal depression.  Thankfully, even though it may not feel like it yet, our days will keep getting longer for the next six months!

Yet, it is often in the middle of the darkest moments that we are most desperate for the light.

Think of a young child sleeping with a night light; the impact that one small light can have in the middle of sheer darkness.  Even a little light can be enough for the eye to begin to adjust to its surroundings and find some hope of distinguishing the difference between hazards and safety.

In the middle of those dark moments is where we oftentimes search the most for light, hope, guidance, and direction.

Two thousand years ago the Israelite people were living under the oppressive government of the Romans.  However, their oppression was more vast than that.  About 550 years before the birth of Jesus the presence of God left the Temple in Jerusalem which thrust them into a season of spiritual darkness.  About 150 years later God stopped speaking with His people and the Old Testament was completed.  These were dark times for the people of Israel.  Different factions and countries regularly conquered the Jews with short periods of freedom in between the lifestyle of oppression.

Around the time of Jesus’ birth, the Jews were desperately searching for some light in the darkness they had succumbed to. They were in a time where they did not have political freedom. They lived in a time when God no longer was actively leading them. They were desperate for the arrival of the promised Messiah who would provide hope in the darkness.

Through the prophet Isaiah God had promised that He would send a Light into the world again. The prophet Isaiah had prophesied about the coming birth of this Prince of Peace. He said, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness” (Isaiah 9.2).

The birth of that promised Prince of Peace found its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus – the One called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Later in Jesus’ ministry He even identified Himself as this light: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

The promised Redeemer who was to bring about the light of life had finally shown up on the scene… yet some of the people did not believe it and they missed it.  Some did believe, but many more were angry and did not believe that this Jesus was the promised Prince of Peace.

The people of Jesus’ day had been expecting Him to be a conquering king who would overthrow the oppression of the Romans.  Instead, God entered the world through a manger in Bethlehem. In His first coming, He did not come to overthrow the oppression of the Romans, but instead to overthrow the oppression of spiritual darkness that all of mankind is born into. He came to be the light of the world and to provide that light as a gift that leads to salvation.

You see, we can easily focus on the Christmas trees, the wrapping paper, and all of the other cultural festivities and miss the real purpose of celebration this season.  Even more, we could focus on the manger scenes and the Savior of the world wrapped in a swaddling cloth and still miss the real significance of this Christmas season.

While it is true that Jesus came as a baby in a wooden manger, it is also true that He came not to set up a temporary kingdom on earth. Rather, He came for a wooden cross in order to set up an Eternal Kingdom in the heavenly realms. He came to be the Light that would ultimately push back all darkness. He came to be the gift that we never could have purchased on our own. He came to give life to those who trust Him and surrender their lives to His will.

So, this Christmas season, as you see the lights around town, remember that Jesus is the Light that brings us out of the darkness. As you participate in a candlelight service this Christmas Eve remember that it is a representation of Jesus being the Light of the World and as we pass that light from person to person it is the remembrance that we are to pass the Light and Life of the world to those we interact with.

If you are looking for a faith family to celebrate with this season I would invite you to join us at mosaic church. This Christmas Eve we will have one service at 4pm on Christmas Eve. We would love to have you as we celebrate Jesus and make much of the Light of the world and Prince of Peace.