The Light that broke the darkness…
Written By: Chris Mace
What will come with the rising sun? Aggravation or happiness? Dispair or hope? Disaster or blessing? Or even a long desired but barely noted and unexpected miracle?
Who could have known?
When the sun rose that morning “the light of the world,” the “true light that lighteth everyone” was arriving to fulfill one of history’s most significant, mysterious prophecies! (John1:9) Celebrated with heavenly brilliance and angelic joy but with little earthly recognition or ceremony, the long awaited child of ancient prophecy would be born in a stable and lie cradled in a manger amidst barn animals. Seven hundred years before, Isaiah had predicted his birth: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
That momentous day, heaven graciously gave humanity its greatest gift: “…when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)
A totally unprepared world found it difficult to accept this child born into poverty in a Bethlehem stable as “Immanuel,” God with us. “Downwhere” a Canadian Rock Band, poses some questions that were and continue to be asked : “ A child in a manger? Lowly and small, the weakest of all/ Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl/ Just a child/ Is this who we’ve waited for?” “Cause how many kings stepped down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? And how many Gods have poured out their hearts/To romance a world that is torn all apart? How many Fathers gave up their Sons for me?
The Apostle John answered the implied “why” of those questions centuries ago: “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins”(1 John 4:9-10). This vulnerable child came as the powerful, visible manifestation of God’s love for all humanity! God’s investment of unconditional and unlimited love, immeasurable and unmerited grace, and miraculously unbounded power for our eternal salvation through this Christ Child is the reason to celebrate a joyous Christmas.
He lights everyday with great hope for all who believe!