The Coming Light

This morning, as I sat watching the approaching sunrise, I was reminded of some verses from Isaiah 60:1-5 NIV:

[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

 and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 

[2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, 

but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 

[3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 

[4] “Lift up your eyes and look about you: 

All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. 

[5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; 

the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come."

As I reflect on these verses I am reminded of John's opening stanzas in his wonderful Gospel, and I see many parallels.  Here are a few of his opening verses - John 1:1-5,9-14 NIV:

[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

[9] The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 

[14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Truly, the words of Isaiah concerning the light, the Glory of God coming, has been fulfilled.  Nations have come to the Light of Christ!  Sons and Daughters from far away have come to the Light!  The world has been changed and continues to embrace the fulfillment of God's plan and purposes!  One day the Glory of the Lord will cover the earth!  Both Isaiah and John saw similar visions and heard similar statements:

Isaiah 6:3 NIV: "And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy , holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Revelation 4:8 NIV:  "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come.”

Revelation 5:13 NIV:  "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Each time we celebrate Christmas, we are one year closer to the final fulfillment of God's word and the Glory of Jesus Christ!  Let us celebrate Jesus,  the Light that has come into the world today!  Let us remember His great love, His desire for all the world to know Him and His love!

Amen & Amen!