The Jesse Tree - December 13

Today's text - Isaiah 9:2,6,7

Do you take light for granted? I'm talking about light at night.

I've been on airplanes at night and marvel at the light that our civilization produces. Whole areas glow. Street lights illumine matchbox sized roads upon which matchbox sized cars shine their head lights.

I've also been to some places where there is no human light at night. If you've ever been in a place like that - to look up at the night sky is awe inspiring - billions of stars seem to white out the night sky - you get a deeper appreciation of the nomenclature "milky way."

Ever been in a cave on tour when they turn out the lights? You literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. Utter darkness. A single match in such a space illumines everything.

"A people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
They lived in a dark land that's been illumined."

Ever walk in the dark - no light? no fun.

Who will you trust to guide you safely?

These people, the hearers of Isaiah's words knew what darkness was about, both physically and spiritually - no Thomas Edison invention yet.

The theme of the dawn overcoming the darkness is picked up in Zachariah's prophecy in Luke's Gospel - an old man speaks eloquently and prophetically when introduced to the infant Christ. . . .

“And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.
Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.” - Luke 1:76-79

This text from Isaiah was also the theme picked up by John in his Gospel

The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. - John 1:5-6

John connected this light-walking to love by saying that those who walk in darkness are haters.
But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness. - 1 John 2:11

In a few days (December 16), we will gather at Emmorton Elementary School to hear the Christmas story, to sing carols and to light candles. It's a beautiful sight, but will we fully grasp what that light represents? Do we realize how bright our world is because Jesus had entered it and is entering it through us? (Jesus said, "YOU are the light of the world. . . "

And another important question is this - who do you know who is still walking in darkness? Who do you know whose life has not been illumined by the love of Christ?

From my vantage point on this cold December night, while there are tons of lights on trees and outlining houses, lights in homes and on streets and in stores, there are still many, many who are sitting in darkness, those in the shadow of death. 

Eyes can see light while souls can be blind.

If you were in a pitch black cave, wouldn't you want someone to share a match? a candle? a flashlight?

If you were living in the shadow of death, wouldn't you want someone to show you the path of life?

What are you waiting for?

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine . . ."