CHRISTMAS THE SEASON OF HOPE
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) 2 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.
Christmas is one of the most hopeful times of the year. It is a season of hope.
- We have presents being given and received
- We have happy music playing
- We have some people actually being happier – with the exception of drives and shoppers
- We have decorations – that started in August
- We have SALES!
- We have trees and…
- We have lights…on the tree(s), on the house, in the yard, on buildings, on Mack Trucks, around the office…just about anywhere you can think!
The lights have their greatest effect in the darkness. Driving around at night looking at the lights brings a great sense of warmth and hope as we are reminded of the season upon us.
Unfortunately, even with all the lights around us at Christmas time, many people are still walking in the darkness. They are living lives of hopelessness because they have never discovered the Life that brings light into their dark lives.
Isaiah 9 takes a look at the prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope he would bring to the earth when he came.
Isaiah 9:2; 6-7 (NIV) 2 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… 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
SETTING:
The Northern Kingdom of
And in the middle of that gloom and darkness, a word of hope came from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah to the oppressed people – a light was coming to remove the darkness of captivity!
Verse 6 – For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given. This child was to be the “light” who was going to be a rescuer for the people.
This is Good News!
Look how the child was described – he was everything the people needed and wanted.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
- Government on His shoulders – He will rule and govern as one from the lineage of King David. God promised David that there would always be a ruler on the throne from his household – Jesus fulfills that promise!
He will be called…
- Wonderful Counselor – He will discharge his office with supernatural wisdom…much greater than Solomon who was the wisest of all the kings of
- Mighty God – He will be a powerful warrior always winning every military adventure because of his precise execution of his plans
- Everlasting Father – “Father” means originator… he is the originator of eternity and he will be a father to his people throughout eternity with great care, compassion and discipline
- Prince of Peace – When he comes into power there will be peace among the nations of the world
Ever since those words were spoken,
What they missed, and I don’t want you to miss this, was that the Messiah did come. And in the middle of the night, in the deepest darkness, a little cry was heard and the light of the world came to be.
Later in his life Jesus said of himself:
John 8:12 (NIV) 12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The Apostle John also wrote of him:
John 1:4-5 (NIV) 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The people that Isaiah wrote about were experiencing hopelessness because of the darkness of their captivity. They were defeated by an enemy who now ruled over them.
The reason the people were in captivity was because of the REAL ruler of their lives – the darkness of the captivity of sin. They had turned away from their God to follow after their own desires and lusts.
What they really needed was not a warrior, but a Savior.
And it’s the same today – the darkness of the captivity of sin has created hopelessness in the lives of people because they have turned their backs on God and followed after their own desires and lusts.
So here comes Christmas as a reminder again each and every year – a reminder of the hope we have through Christ.
He wants to be your…
- Wonderful Counselor – to give you a vibrant life filled with the wisdom you need for your everyday life
- Mighty God – to lead you into defeating sin and the devil who tries to take you captive
- Everlasting Father – to show you great care, compassion and discipline both now and for eternity
- Prince of Peace – but you will never experience peace until the Prince of Peace is in your life
Why is Christmas the season of hope?
- Not because of lights…
- Not because of presents…
- Not because of decorations…
Christmas is the season of hope because “Unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given!”
He came for you because he is what you need.
Make this Christmas the season of hope for your life by inviting the Prince of Peace into your heart to dispel the darkness of captivity created by your sin.
Here’s what you do:
- Realize you need the light of the world in your life
- Repent of the sin that has taken you captive
- Receive Jesus into your heart
- Resolve to live your life for him
Merry Christmas.
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