Jesus Christ, The Great Light
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever… The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:1-2 NLT)
Today we celebrate our Saviour Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the eternal King, who also said ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12). Light is good, and gropping in darkness is frustrating. Darkness can also mean absence of direction (even with physical light). The UK has for the last three years been gropping in darkness seeking the exit door out of the EU without success; perhaps now it will be a merry Christmas for Boris Johnson and his UK Conservatives after winning elections as part of the way to the door. In his recent visit, President Museveni congratulated Kyambogo University upon ‘starting to wake up’ as evidenced by innovations exhibited and, I must add, graduating her very first PhD’s. It is like ‘seeing the light’ – and you may name many other such exciting situations worth celebrating.
Consider the great light of Isaiah 9:1-2: the announcement is poignant when you recall the circumstances of the land spoken about – Zebulun, Naphtali and Galilee; this remote place is in the North of Palestine; most invaders from further North ravaged the area; it ended up impoverished and hopeless. Isaiah’s words of hope climaxed with the birth of the Messiah who grew up in Nazareth of Galilee. Here indeed light shone – the people not only saw him but many believed in Him, and from here Jesus called the first disciples how would become missionaries to the world.
Light is good. The sun is a source of life as it sends us light and many other forms of energy; ultraviolet light is particularly responsible for photosynthesis, a process from which all food is made – the food chain begins here; indeed all life begins here. But Jesus Christ is even greater. While the sun illuminates this temporary world, Jesus Christ is the eternal light – He illuminates the eternal Kingdom, as we read:
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Rev 21:23-24 NIV)
It is not enough to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ without embracing His light today in preparation for citizenship in the eternal Kingdom. Joseph had his fears that were dispelled by an angel; Mary and the shephered first feared the angelic light but were pointed to the greater Light – the Saviour. Yes, the light may flash frighteningly, but the great light is the source of life both today and in eternity. Come to the Saviour, make no delay. Come to the great light.
God bless you all. Merry Christmas!