For To Us A Child Is Born

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:1-7

Seven centuries before Jesus’s birth, Isaiah used an image of light and shadow to foretell the coming of a Savior for Israel.

Each person sees the birth of Jesus in a different way, maybe we would have been there kneeling, or maybe in the background questioning what we were seeing. Are we worshipping or questioning? Are we hiding from the light or coming into it?

Christmas invites us to step out of the shadows of darkness and to allow the light of Christ to shine into our hearts.

Faith in Christ is not a leap into the dark; it’s a step into the Light.

Our Daily Bread – December 21, 2013