A Great Light Has Dawned

“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

'Tis the season in the Pacific Northwest, not just the Advent season of anticipating Jesus' birth, but the rainy, dark, cold season where we may go days without seeing much sunlight. We've experienced a particularly wet December here. Some days bring constant rain and clouds so thick it seems sunrise never came. But when the sun finally breaks through and its brightness floods my living room, I'm rejuvenated. I treasure that light so much more after a week of deep darkness.

I wonder if that's how the Jewish people felt at Jesus' birth. Isaiah's prophecy foretold the coming Messiah: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Hope had come!

If you've been walking in darkness, dear one, remember: the Light of the World has come! Jesus' life, death, and resurrection provided a way for us to experience His light for eternity, never to go dark again.

The very last chapter of the Bible reveals something miraculous about what we have to look forward to when God makes all things new: "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." (Revelation 22:5)

Imagine: no more darkness… emotionally, spiritually, or physically. That amazing truth is what we have to look forward to, and it's only because of what Jesus did for us. His arrival as a baby is truly worth celebrating.

This Christmas, warm yourself in the Light that has dawned and shine that light into the world!