The Light of the World

December 20, 2016

Dear Christa—

The Light of the World

I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the earth (Is. 49:6).

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Is. 7:14).

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means “God with us” (Mt. 1:22).

Isaiah is a long book. It seems like I’ve been reading it a long time. Through the prophet, God spoke many encouraging and fearful remarks to the nation of Israel. For their disobedience, there would be captivity; and for God’s own glory, there would be freedom. Then, in among all these admonitions and blessings, God reveals Himself—powerful, omnipotent, Creator, Savior.

To know God is the reason we read the Bible. To see every created thing is a reminder of who God is. The wonder of a fight of birds, frost on the windowpane, shadows cast forth by naked winter trees—the image of God is in them all.

To know that He orchestrates every nation’s rise and fall, to realize that He brings forth His glory through those who know Him and those who don’t—that He loves so deeply that He would sacrifice Himself to bring redemption—

Even for us today, there are messages of hope, fulfilled through Jesus.

For many, Christmas can be a time of sadness. We all have regrets. We all have felt alone. We all have been in the dark.

Yet, Isaiah tells us about God—the God who was and is and always will be—the God who sent light to world, who sheds light in our hearts.

Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God (Is. 49:10b).

Those who hope in me will not be disappointed (Is. 49:23c).

                                                                               Happy Christmas, Christa!

—the parishioner who doesn’t do anything