“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2
It was winter in the Judean country side. Outside the protection of city walls shepherds watched their flocks by night. Dark and cold, they bedded down for the evening never imagining that the world as they knew it would forever be changed that night. And that they (of all people) would be the first to know.
Yes, it was first to these humble shepherds that God announced his greatest gift. Which only makes sense considering it was these shepherds who were responsible for not only the flock they were caring for but also for identifying a sheep suitable for sacrifice and caring for it once it had been born.
We don’t think about that much this time of year. The purpose for which that babe lying in a manger came. But from the very beginning, the night the shepherds first received the good news and the heavenly host appeared – this baby was born to die.
Its hard for us to imagine at a time when Christmas (for most) means pretty packages tied up with bows that God’s greatest gift would be not one of pretty ribbons but one of bloody sacrifice.
Born of a virgin, Jesus came into the world for the express purpose of dying. The God of the Universe loving us so much that he robed himself in human flesh, entered human history as a helpless new born babe in order to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. For unlike Jesus, we were not born to die but to live.
Which is why it says in Isaiah –
“the people walking in darkness …. in the shadow of death … have seen a great light”.
For the shadow of death is sin …. but the light of the world is Jesus.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12
Wow!
Do you get it? Jesus was born to die …. so that we could live!
We were born to live … (but because of sin) …. we die!
Oh, people, he is wonderful, oh, people he is good! He has no desire that we remain in death and darkness ….but rather desires that we come into his marvelous light, and live. A desire so integral to his goodness and his love that he entered time and space to make it happen. No wonder the heavenly host praised him that night … and so do we!
With Christmas just around the corner, I sometimes find it hard to focus on what its really all about. After all, Jesus really is the reason for the season. But so busy we get with wrappings and trappings that its easy to forget that God’s greatest gift needs no wrapping or packing at all …. just the opening of our hearts.
Thankfully, God reminded me of this earlier today through the words to a beautiful worship song which begins like this –
” light of the world, you stepped down in to darkness, open my eyes let me see”
…. and I was moved anew by God’s goodness and his grace …. and the incredible gift, the incomparable gift that he gave of himself.
For those of you who would like to join me in worshiping God through this beautiful song, you can find it here.
And, as always ….
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6
Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
Thank you, Cindy, for these hopeful, encouraging words 😉 He truly is our light!
By: Tammy W on December 20, 2016
at 3:11 am
I rejoice in the Lamb of God who Taketh away the sin’s of the world.
He has come.
He also went on to describe in many portions of His Word not only His authority.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
And also how that those called to and by His name would be given that same power to turn from the power of the enemy and stand by faith.
Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
He has not only come but come with power and instruction.
After 2008 and the subsequent meltdown of our banking system the Lord began revealing to me the ways in which I had allowed the enemy and worlds system to rule in my thinking.
My searching, which has not ended, but allowed me to understand how the enemy has overtaken the “church”.
I have discovered just as Peter did in Matthew 16 that while those who are called to be the “church” are also able to still work against the Word and will of the Lord just as Peter did here.
Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Robert Breaker has produced a video that helps me to see how the enemy has stolen “the show” and injected many false things into the story of the coming of the King of Kings.
Please prayerfully consider how the enemy seeks to sideline the truth of God’s own Word.
By: jeff on December 23, 2016
at 10:48 am