Isaiah 9:1-7

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

2 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.

3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice.

They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.

4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.

You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned.

    They will be fuel for the fire.

6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

    And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His government and its peace will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Our journey started in the perfection of the Garden of Eden but it very soon became a story of disobedience, punishment, division and hopelessness. Darkness descended on the world. People lived in fear, struggling with relationships, illness, war, suffering.

But God...

But God had not given up. In today's reading, He again promised that it would change. His rescue plan was still happening. Light would shine into the darkness. People would have reason for rejoicing. They would rejoice just as they did at the time of harvest or after a military victory. The yoke of slavery would be broken and their oppression would be lifted. Israel had suffered for centuries. Indeed, they would again. Their greatest defeat and national shame was still ahead. they would be taken into captivity in Assyria and Babylon, separated from their land (the land that God had promised them), and the temple (where God lived).

Nevertheless, God primised that light would shine in the darkness. Their future would be fantastic! War and suffering would end.

How come? What would bring this about?

For a child is born to us.

This child would be their Saviour.

He would be a descendent of King David. He would rule. His reign would be one of fairness and justice. And it would never end. There would be eternal fairness and justice.

He would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Notice the last sentence in this passage. God will not give up. He is committed to this. He is zealous about this. It will happen.

For Reflection

1. Isaiah said all this about 2,800 years ago and the world still suffers. There are still relationship break-downs, illness, wars and more. Do you believe that light will shine into this darkness one day? Why do you say that?

2. What might God's light shining into our world look like? What would be different?

Carols

Christmas carols are songs related to the Christmas story. they are sung in worship but also in public places and groups might even go door-to-door singing. Many carols are very well-known and are loved even by people who do not believe in Jesus.

The word "carol" comes from Latin and Greek sources that meant "a dance to a flute" or the flute player who accompanied a dance. The original dances had nothing to do with Christmas but Christians began writing Christmas-related songs perhaps as early as the 4th century. Over time, many have been written and some have become firm favourites. Some are very ancient, while new ones are written each year.

Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas celebrations between 1649 and 1660 in England. Christmas carols did not experience real popularity again until the 17th century.

In our secualr society, many Christmas songs have nothing to do with the real Christian story.

Pick a favourite carol. Make sure you have the words. Sing it together and talk about why it is a favourite. (You could use recorded music (e.g. a Youtube video) if you need some extra backing.)

Dear Lord, the world still knows much darkness but we thank You that there is also light. And we thank you that, one day, the light will completely dispel the darkness. We pray for that day. Please come and rid our world of all pain and sorrow.

In Jesus name, amen.