"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. You have multiplied the nation; You have increased its joy; they rejoice before You as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
"For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, You have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
"The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this." -Isaiah 9:2-7
After the year we've all had, these words take on a whole new meaning this Christmas, don't they?
Just imagine what that must've felt like for those who understood that Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy, after more than 400 years of waiting for this promised Hope.
All they knew was slavery, and this was their promise that they were to be free.
For many of those He healed, all they knew was sickness and pain. This was their promise that they were to be free.
It's an assurance that we are not alone, and that this life is not all there is. Because of Jesus, when we face difficult trials and misery, we can rejoice in the promise that all of that darkness is going to be over one day, because the Light has come.
In the middle of all of our hopelessness and darkness this year, a Light has come. In the shadows of doubt and pain, we have a Light brightening it all, and promising to one day destroy the darkness forevermore.
On this Christmas, I pray we all remember this hope, and that it takes on a whole new meaning this year that we remember for the rest of our lives. There is hope. There is victory. Death has lost, and we are free through Him. What a wonderful thing to celebrate!
Merry Christmas, everyone. I pray you all have an incredible holiday, and a wonderful and redemptive end to your year.
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