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Devotion

Weekly Lift

#129. Christmas part 1

Bruce Stanley

November 21, 2022


Part one - Christmas lights

I pulled our Christmas tree and decorations out of storage last week. Now they're sitting in boxes in the lounge room. Waiting. Waiting for someone to pull them out and put them up.

Some say "Wait until December!" Others say "Wait for someone else to do it!" It's a waiting game.

As a child, it seemed like forever as I waited for Christmas Day. Now, it seems like it comes too fast and I never have enough time to get ready.

But it is great when the lights are all up and then you turn them on. There's something about the lights coming on that is special. And I think because in the back of my mind is this passage from Isaiah 9:

Isaiah 9:2

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

It's one of the best-known prophecies of Jesus. From the prophet Isaiah, there is a recognition that the dark world we live in needs light. The evil world we live in needs rescue. And when that light comes, so does joy.

Isaiah 9:3-4

3You 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.4For 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.

Joy comes as burdens are lifted and freedom is given. This is what light brings. It shatters the darkness, lifts the burden, and overcomes the fear.

Yet the most surprising thing is the form in which this light comes:

Isaiah 9:6

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.

A child. This is what they are waiting for. A child who carries the weight of the world government. A child who will be called counsellor, prince of peace, Father, God. A child will be this great light. Just like those Christmas lights. So tiny, yet when you turn them on in the darkness, they illuminate the whole room.

In Isaiah, we start to see God's plans very clearly revealed through prophecy. We begin to see the real and ongoing problems of our world and the very real and final and permanent solution to this darkness. The light, the child, the Christ.

Isaiah 9:7

7Of 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.

His reign will never end. And it will all come about because God is zealous to save his world.

At the end of Christmas, the lights will come down and go back into the box. But the light of Jesus will not. He has begun his reign already. And he will reign forever and ever.

Christmas part one - turn on the lights!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for Christmas, and for the reminder that you sent your son, our Saviour, into this dark world to give light - to bring peace and hope and to reign forever and ever. To carry the weight of our burdens and to reign forever. May your light shine in our lives as we share this Christmas hope with others.

Amen.

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    St Philip's Eastwood Anglican Church

    Cnr. Shaftsbury Rd & Clanalpine St, Eastwood NSW 2122

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