Isaiah 9:2,
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.
Have you ever turned on a light on your phone in bright sunlight? There is little affect at all. But that same light in pitch darkness illuminates everything around it. There is a direct correlation between the effectiveness of light and darkness. Without darkness there can be no light.
Take a few moments to search your heart for the darkest area that is in your life right now.
Could it be that this Christmas season, and the Hope that it represents, is about the dawning of a great light in your deepest darkness? We live in a dark world, but no darker than it was the night in Bethlehem thousands of years ago. The same God that became a great light in deep darkness is here, and in our hearts, our lives. Our souls are so often like that city of Bethlehem, covered in deep darkness, hidden places, shamed self-assumptions.
But the hope that we have, is that those dark places are exactly where God wants to be with us. Emmanuel.
Let’s pray: “Immanuel, Lord Jesus, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus! Help us to receive and embrace the Hope eternal that only You bring. Emanuel, God with us. Amen”