The Hope of Light
Isaiah 2:1-5
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are now in the Christmas Season. People often miss the point when it comes to Christmas. For some, this season is simply an opportunity to throw parties and exchange gifts. Some see it simply as an opportunity to eat, drink, and be merry. For merchants and salesmen, it is a time to increase their retail sales. For consumers, it is a period of dread, as we must hurry into crowded stores and strain our wallets. However, all of this misses the point of Christmas. Christmas is the promise of love and life eternal.
A little boy named George asked his mother on Christmas: “Mom, why do people put lights on their houses?”
“They are celebrating Jesus’ birthday,” she replied.
“When is Jesus’ birthday?” asked George.
“He was born on Christmas,” his mother replied.
“Jesus was born on Christmas?” George exclaimed. “Wow, what a coincidence!”
Jesus is the reason for the season. He brought light and love into the world. Because of His coming, we have fellowship with the Father. To help us understand the real point of the Christmas season, I want to take us back, about 750 years before Christ was born, to a prophet named Isaiah. Isaiah was both a prophet of judgment and a prophet of hope.
For the coming four weeks, we are going to cover some of Isaiah’s most memorable writings, concerning the coming of the Messiah and the importance His coming is for the world. We must remind ourselves that the Manger of Bethlehem was only the beginning of messianic history. The kingdom of God came into the world with the birth of Jesus, but the fulfillment of His kingdom comes when the light of Christ reigns over all the earth. So, Christmas is a two-fold celebration; a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and a celebration for when the peace, joy, love, and light of Christ will dwell in every heart around the world. Today our lesson is about the light of Christmas.
Isaiah writes, “Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.” - Isaiah 2:3 & 5
Isaiah spoke of a world of peace and light. Nearly 800 years after the time of Isaiah, the Apostle Paul wrote, “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:11-12
If there is one theme that is common for this season, it is light. Some of you have already gotten out the lights for your Christmas tree. Some of you will perhaps light up the entire inside and outside of your house. Some of you are planning to buy a new Christmas tree or new lights this year. It is wonderful to be joyful in the spirit, as long as we remember what Isaiah said. “Let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Let the light that shines the brightest in all our homes be our Lord.
Shining into His Light
Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
The Christmas story begins in darkness. There was the darkness of oppression, for God's people were a conquered people. They were beaten and defeated by sin and darkness.
An author named Bruce Larson was driving on a highway in Pennsylvania in the middle of the night. As he was driving, he took the wrapper off some candy. Finding the ashtrays in the car to be full, he absentmindedly opened the car window and threw the wrapper out of the car. Suddenly, he realized what he had done. He also realized that he would never have done this in the daylight. However, somehow, the very darkness encouraged him to litter. There is something about the light that reminds us of our responsibility to other people and helps us to do the responsible thing.
“People who do not live in fellowship with others, live in perpetual darkness and continually do things of which they are ashamed. But people who live in a fellowship, live in the light and are encouraged to be and to do those things of which they can be proud.” - Bruce Larson. We, as Christians, are called to walk in the light of Christ. Through the season of Christmas, we are reminded of the light that came down for our sins. The light that came done to free us from oppression and darkness and to give us the victory.
Darkness is often used in Scripture as a symbol of sin and its effects. It is often contrasted with light, as a symbol of forgiveness and the presence of God. The good news of Christmas is that in the midst of a deep darkness there came a light, and the darkness was not able to overcome that light. It was not just a temporary flicker. It was an eternal flame. We need to remember that. There are times, in the events of the world and in the events of our own personal lives, that we feel that the light will be blown out. But the Christmas story affirms that whatever happens, the light still shines “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12
Surrounded in His Light
In Matthew 6:22-23 Jesus says, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.”
How can we surround ourselves with God’s light? Jesus says that we are to let our lights shine before men in such a way that they will see our good works and glorify God. We must live for God. Walking in the light means walking in fellowship with God and one another. We also need to understand that walking in the light summons community and peace. We live in a sinful world filled with many conflicts and griefs, but God’s light will always prevail to victory. Especially during this Christmas season.
Many people have already started setting up their lights and decorations. Most people do not think of Christmas lights as being too religious. Especially when we see that Christmas lights are hung by many people, even those who are not Christians. But it still reminds us of the importance of the symbol of light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it,” writes John in the prologue to his Gospel. And it is true. Light is more powerful than darkness. Love is more powerful than hate. Faith is more powerful than fear.
On the night of May 5, 1942. Europe was stuck in the violence of World War II. The Nazis were killing millions of Jews throughout Europe. On the night of May 5, 1942, a small group of Ukrainian Jews decided to hide from the Nazis in an underground cave. Thirty-eight people, ranging in age from a toddler to a 75 year-old woman, created a home underground. They had no advanced equipment, only some lanterns, cooking pots, firewood, and food. For 344 days, almost one full year, none of these cave-dwellers saw the light of day. Some of the men would emerge from the cave at night to search for food or firewood, but no one came out during the daylight hours. Finally, on April 12, 1943, after receiving news that the Germans had retreated, the cave dwellers emerged from underground to see the sun for the first time in almost a year. How eager must those cave dwellers have been to be able to leave the darkness and walk in the light. This is also the same feeling and anticipation God’s children feel upon seeing and being surrounded by the light which the Lord brings.
According to the earth’s orbit around the sun, the month of December is one of the darkest months of the year. When we put up our Christmas lights, we are celebrating the day which darkness was overcome by light. We are celebrating the birth of a savior who was born to carry our sins and darkness away. We are celebrating the values of peace and justice and love and hope. Most of all, we are celebrating the presence of God in our world and life. John 8:12 Jesus spoke to them again, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.
Yes, it is always fun to set up our Christmas lights, but never forget, ‘Jesus is the reason for the season.’ The light He has given to us is brighter than any light we can ever buy.
Sharing His Light
John 12:46, says, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”
As people, of the light, our job is to make sure the light of Christ shines ever more brightly in this world of darkness. And how do we do that? By continually walking in the light ourselves. By living a life of integrity and love. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
There was once a young girl named Jane who was so excited to be a part of her church’s Christmas play. She had told her parents that she was one of the main characters, but she did not tell them who she was going to be.
When it was the day of the play, everyone gathered. The teacher began: “A long time ago, Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named Him, Jesus.” At that cue, Jane got up from her chair, picked up a large tin-foil star, walked behind Mary and Joseph, and held the star up high, for everyone to see.
When the play finished, Jane said to her mother, with great satisfaction, “I had the main part!”
“You did?” her Mom asked?
“Yes,” she said, “because I showed everybody how to find Jesus!”
We are also called to walk in the light like Jane. We, as Christians, are called to show the world how to find Jesus. When we live in the light of Christ, we are able to show others the light which only God can give. We must shine the light of Jesus boldly. This is our part of God's gospel that He has given to us. We must give others the hope of light and to show the world how to find Jesus. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12.
God takes an ordinary person and uses them to share His message to people who need Him. When we share our faith, we spread His light. You were saved to shine! Don't hide your testimony or be ashamed to take your Bible to work. Let others know that you love the Lord Jesus. Secondly, we have to surrender our lives to Him completely. Christ says we are to "let" our lights shine. In other words, when you get right with God and are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will simply shine through you. God is the light that shines within and through His church as the light of the world.
CONCLUSION
Jesus is the Reason for the Season, Amen. Today, we meditated on the hope that light brings during this Christmas season. Christmas is a dual celebration. It is the celebration for our Savior being born, and also a celebration for the light of God given to all people around the world. Through His only begotten son, every single one of us have been given the opportunity to accept salvation and inherit His kingdom. Yes, Christmas lights are wonderful and beautiful, but especially remember the light of God this season.
Shine in His light. You are all born with sin, and through that continuous sin, you may be trapped in darkness. But the Lord is calling you to come into the Light with Him. He wants to fill your life with peace, joy, and salvation through His light. Come out of your dark past and step into His light. Surround yourself with His light. When you carry God light and surround yourself in His light, darkness will never be able to come near you again. Only His light can lead you into true happiness and life. And most importantly, share His light with others. This is one of the most important parts of God’s story, which He has entrusted to you. As His children, He wants you to share His love, share his truth, and share His light. Like little Jane, you have a very important task at hand. You must show everyone who Jesus is.
Christmas is the season of “The Hope of Light.” The hope that everyone in the world will be able to experience the same happiness, joy, and salvation which God has blessed you with. It is the hope that God’s light will cleanse sin’s hold on His children. For the brightest light, this Christmas season is, and will always be, our Savior’s grace. Amen.
