Isaiah 9: 2,6:
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them…For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Studies show that the Christmas season can be a very dark and depressing time for many folks, resulting in a spike in suicides, and it seems this year it is an even more tragic reality. Whether it is financial ruin, PTSD, loneliness, serious illness, chronic pain, or loss of a loved one, one’s lack of hope is often heightened during the Advent season. There may be some whose hearts have been darkened by the lure of pleasures that this broken world offers: the promise of fame or fortune, the fleeting satisfaction of drugs or alcohol, the addiction to porn or gambling.
But take heart…
We see in the Old Testament numerous prophecies that declare “those who walk in darkness… those who live in a dark land” will see a great light and will be delivered if their trust is placed in Jesus. I can attest to the darkness in my life before coming to faith and trust in Christ. The words in the passage from Colossians 1:13, “He will deliver us out of the domain of darkness into His great light” were the words that I clung to as a promise on the day when I heard about the Hope of Christ from Billy Graham during one of his telecasts in 1972. God promises when we trust Him for our salvation, we come out of the darkness—a state of spiritual blindness—into His great light where our eyes are opened. What a gift, this Jesus! What Hope He offers! What a Savior this Prince of Peace!
“Light of the World, You stepped down into darkness,
opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore you,
Hope of a life spent with you.” *
Father, there are many who live in spiritual “darkness” today who need a word of Hope that will lead them to the great Light. Prepare their hearts, dear God, to receive the Christmas message. Fill them right now, we pray, with the Hope that can only be found in You. And help us cast out any “works of darkness” that may be hiding in our own hearts. May our hearts be renewed this Christmas as we celebrate the dawning of Your everlasting light. In the name of the Light of the World, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
* lyrics by Tim Hughes
~ painting by James Mann
