Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
Do you feel less energetic and motivated as the year comes to an end with it getting darker sooner and colder outside? Maybe there are extra shadows hanging over your head because the holiday season is approaching faster than we would like? How about having to drive to work when it’s dark and it is now dark on the way home?
There are phrases to describe this time of year such as seasonal depression or the newer one of Seasonal Affective Disorder. The second one is appropriately abbreviated as SAD. Either way we are saying that there is a certain depressed feeling that surrounds living in extended darkness.
There are people who live in other parts of the world whereby the time they reach the end of December, there are 23 hours of darkness and 1 hour of dawn/dusk. I am intrigued by this, but do not think I would appreciate the experience in the long term. Most of us probably fall into the category of preferring the light of day over the dark of night.
We can feel more alive when we can walk around outside without needing any type of artificial light for us to see. I enjoy watching light spread across the dark world at dawn and any sunshine is a bonus. It does not have to be the more intense summer sunlight, but any time I can close my eyes and feel the warmth on my cheeks will always lift my spirits.
Too often many of us do not need the shortening day to cast a darkness over our lives. We are already living with our own varying stages of depressed feelings. We face events and circumstances every day that can steal our hope and optimism no matter how brightly the sun is shining. And the modern world can keep everything moving much faster than we can go.
I have spent time over the years obsessing over events, worrying over circumstances, and letting the darkness outside weigh on me even further. It was not a good way to live and I could not find the energy to direct toward countering their effect. Sometimes even reaching out to those around me was no help because Many times they were in a worse position than I was.
It was not until I realized that Christmas was more than just a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, it was also the coming of a divine light into the dark world. Jesus was born at a time when the world was living in a darkness and looking for the next guidance from God. It was more than four hundred years of silent spiritual darkness.
That darkness was first broken by a star that lit up the sky, which led to the place where the light of the world was born. We all know the story of the wise men being led to the baby, the glorious appearing of the angels when they told the shepherds, and the joyous celebration on the night Jesus lay in the manger.
But that night is better explained in John 1:6-9 with the coming of John the Baptist, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
Besides all those who were present at the birth, it took another to bear witness to the light that gives light to every man. Gives light to each and every one of us no matter who we are, what we have done, or where we are in our lives. This can be an overwhelming experience when we realize the Jesus is that light to remove all the darkness we are living in.
The opening scripture from Isaiah shows that God’s light was always there to help believers who were dwelling in darkness, but the birth of Christ made it even more so. It was a live event with witnesses. Yes, it happened years ago but is still significant to each one of us.
I grew up in a church that held a Christmas Eve service. The last thing we did was to turn out all the lights with just the alter candle lit. This was the light of Jesus shining in the darkness. The pastor would light a candle from that light and then we would spread it one to another until the entire church was lit up.
As I held my candle high, Matthew 5:14 became all that more significant, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” At that moment I was shining Christ’s light to the world for all to see, but once that candle was extinguished and the lights turned back on, I quickly forgot that I should be shining that same light every day.
1 Peter 2:9 says it better, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” No matter who we are, we are a chosen generation. Chosen to shine the light of Christ in the darkness that we find in the world.
As we approach this Christmas season, do not let the growing darkness outside take away from what we know. That Christ was born to bring light into a dark ancient world, but that is not only what we are celebrating. The celebration of His birth is not only illuminating the darkest part of the year but is a symbol and call to action for all Christian to carry that light of Jesus every where we go all year long.
SPREAD MY LIGHT EVEN MORE
As the year is winding down we see the darkness continue to grow,
With the temperature dropping and there’s a chance we may get snow.
All the elements sure dampen the mood and not want to venture outside,
It’s easier to hide in search of warmth while light continues to hide.
My mood deflates as darkness deepens with each passing day,
Hope feels like it is slipping further and further the same way.
Lord, with this depression clouding my mind making me feel so torn,
How can I celebrate the joy and happiness of the day you were born?
This is the season my child that daylight just keeps on shrinking,
Always wanting to cloud any joyous thoughts you are thinking.
You must not lose hope because the shadows deepen this time of year,
Rather it is time to begin a celebration than to succumb to any fear.
You must know that my birth was a light to the world in its darkest age,
This time of year is the mirror that reflects how similar emotions engage.
The importance has not diminished and should be shared as never before,
So spread my love with those around you and Spread My Light Even More.
Simple Faith Christian
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