The Light Has Come
Welcome to my month of December focus: Faith, Fitness, Food and Fun!
Let’s set the tone for a great month. I want you to know this is a season of hope. Despite the challenges of 2020, (I’m not even going to give them attention), I want to encourage you to set your attention, your affection, your vision, your ears and your heart upon Him. JESUS, the reason for the season!
I want you to know your Savior who has come. He’s not come in the form of a vaccine against a virus, He’s not come in any political party or president, He’s not come in the form of any amount of money or earthy treasures — But he’s come as a sweet baby to bring YOU hope and salvation. He is Jesus Christ the Lord. He is your HOPE! It makes me think about a line from the song O Holy Night …
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new glorious morn.”
Did you know that when Jesus was born, it was a time of darkness? The people of God were under the oppressive rule of Rome — The nation of Israel was divided. There was fighting among the people: The Pharisees, the Sadducees, Essences, and the Zealots. There was violence, tension and darkness in the land. But remember, way back in the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah foretold that God had promised to send a light on everyone living in a shadow of death and darkness.
“Those who walked in darkness
have seen a radiant light shining upon them.
They once lived in the shadows of death,
but now a glorious light has dawned!” -Isaiah 9: 2 (TPT)
This light was a person and He would be called a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
“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: 6-7 (NIV)
This hope would be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus!
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” -Luke 2: 13-20
In John 1:9, Jesus was called the true light. Even after Jesus was born, He said of Himself in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Friends, I’m here to declare to you that HOPE has come in the midst of the darkness. That light is Jesus! Woohooo!