A Christmas Meditation

Today I am just reflecting on these famous lines from the prophet Isaiah, fore-telling of Jesus nearly 700 years before His birth.

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 NIV:

[2] "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

[6] "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.
[7] 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."

When I read these verses, I can't help but hear the music to Handel's Messiah. :-)

Think about what a radical prophecy this was!  That God would come as a child, and establish His Kingdom and  rule over us on the earth for eternity.  This was not your typical warning to Israel prophecy, but rather the a significant fore-telling of the most significant event to ever occur on earth.

Yesterday I was reflecting on John's introduction to his gospel, about how the light came into the world, and we see here in Isaiah the theme of a light coming to earth.  I am reminded of something Jesus said and recorded in Matthew's Gospel - Matthew 5:14-16 NIV:

[14] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

This is exactly what Jesus did, and invites us to do as well. We are called to let our light, the light of Christ within us, shine before others.  We are not to remain hidden, or under cover, but to shine forth that all may see and give Glory to our Father in Heaven.  Our love for one another is meant to be that light, that indication to all that we carry within us the same light that was in Christ Jesus.  As John said in his first letter - 1 John 4:7-12 NIV:

[7] "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

So let us love one another this day, and allow the Love of God to be made complete in us, and in those around us!

Merry Christmas and have a blessed celebration of Christ's birth!