Bob’s Blog

Jesus-followers are God’s solution to a troubled world but we can only share that solution if we do go, making Jesus the Christmas choice.

We gather together this Christmas Eve to reflect upon the Christmas choice that each of us needs to make as we approach this Holy Day.  This Christmas choice is welcoming Jesus into the center place of our Christmas celebration.  Many of us are ready for Christmas.  The Christmas tree is decorated, our presents are beautifully wrapped under the tree, the pine needles are beginning to fall from the tree, and the house is decorated.  We may be ready in the external preparations for this holiday, but are we ready in the inner recesses of our lives for a Holy Day?  Have we made the Christmas choice of welcoming Jesus afresh and anew in our hearts?

It’s not easy as well to keep Jesus in the center of our lives as we enter a new year.  Following Christmas there is the usual deluge of sales, the finishing up of left-over turkey, a few days of holidays, New Year’s and then it’s back to school or work.  Christmas is over for another year.  And just as we were getting into it, too!

But the Christmas choice of placing Jesus at the center of our celebration doesn’t have to end.  It was not meant to end.  Christmas is, rather, the beginning of something big.  The birth of Jesus was the beginning of something big for the shepherds who long ago tended their flocks by night on a Bethlehem hillside.

Let’s read a portion of the Christmas story from Luke 2:8-20…

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 Just because the world around us treats Christmas as a shallow façade of a holiday that wears off by January 1 does not mean that we need to sell out on the celebration of Christmas throughout the year.  We can put the tree and decorations away, but that does not mean that Christmas should be forgotten in our hearts.

The shepherds on that Christmas Eve long ago certainly didn’t put Jesus away after they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  They spread the world concerning what had been told to them about the baby Jesus.  They returned to their places of routine, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.

Christmas, in its essence, is about God entering our world—God coming to live life as one of us as flesh and blood just like us.  This reality is not something we should only celebrate for a couple of weeks every year.  Rather it is something we should celebrate every day of the year.  In fact, if we want Christmas to be meaningful for us, it is the rest of the year that helps us appreciate the true spirit of Christmas.

In our text this evening, we find the shepherds who attended and cared for sheep discovering that Mary and Joseph would attend and care for their baby.  There is a startling contrast with this imagery.  The shepherds were to present in the Temple the unblemished lambs for sacrifice.  Mary and Joseph would present to all people the unblemished Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

God discloses to us in the gospels John the Baptist knowing what is the real meaning of Christmas in John 1:29…

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

“Look,” John says pointing to Jesus, the Lamb of God.  After John’s testimony, two of his followers—Andrew and Peter—left to follow Jesus.  But why go?  What did these two followers expect to get by following Jesus?  What led them to follow this man?  They believed they had found the Messiah, the Savior, but so what?

Perhaps they expected to obtain wealth, or power or prestige, or honor?  Perhaps they thought it would be fun—a good experience?  Hardly!  As Jewish men, they knew all about the Old Testament passages which told about the Lamb of God.  They knew all about the Passover Lamb.  They had been taught all about the suffering servant songs in Isaiah and the illustration of a lamb being led to the slaughter.

To call someone the Lamb of God as John had called Jesus was not an illusion to worldly power or riches.  The two men who left to follow Jesus expected none of these things.  Perhaps these Jewish shepherds on Christmas Eve knew all about the Lamb of God as well as these future followers of Jesus.  So why go?  If these shepherds in the likeness of the Jesus-followers did not expect wealth, power or prestige, or honor, why follow?  Why indeed?

They simply followed because they were called to go.  They went because they knew that life would be unfulfilled unless they gave themselves completely to God.  They knew the illusions of fulfillment which the world offers, that those things of wealth, power, family, and prestige are just that, illusions. For the shepherds, they did not know where God would take them, but they knew that by following, they would find fulfillment.  The fulfillment came, not because of what happened to them, but because they were following God.  They went away from Jesus praising and glorifying God because they knew that there was no other road that offered fulfillment.

This evening we hear that Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  How do we respond?  Christmas has come.  Jesus has entered our lives.  How do we respond to that reality of God becoming flesh?  Do we go or not?  Do we follow Jesus—not necessarily in the sense of packing our bags and leaving home—but definitely in a sense of living our lives for God?  How do we respond?

1.  It is a choice of perspective

How we respond depends on how we see God.  Many of us have fallen into an illusion that contentment comes from wealth, from family and from the social and economic values which we take from the culture around us.  For these people, the call of God makes us uncomfortable because we see it as a call to fanaticism.  We see it as a call to give up everything that we value.

2.  It is a choice of price

We will believe in God only so long as there is not commitment, no cost, no sacrifice, no challenge to our false illusions of contentment, and no call to “Go!”  If the price tag is too much to pay then we will forfeit the committing everything that we value.  If we are ever asked for more, then we are tempted to put away our faith just as easily as we put away our Christmas decorations.

These two responses keep us in our comfort zone.  So comfortable are we in the life we have built that we are more prepared to live an illusion than in accepting the offer of real fulfillment.

But there is a third response.

3.  It is a choice of purpose

There are also those among us who, when they are introduced to the Lamb of God, set down everything and go.  Their fulfillment comes from walking with God.  Their meaning and existence are wrapped up in the fact that they do not journey through life alone. God is their guide.  God has given them a purpose for living, a journey marked before them with intention and direction.

Their joy comes when they proclaim the Lamb of God to others through their words and actions.  Their lives are not consumed by some false illusion, but rather they are filled with a closeness to God. Like the shepherds, they simply share with others what they have heard and seen.  What have you heard and seen this Christmas?

Oh, you say, had I been there at Bethlehem that night I would have heard and seen. I would have understood. I would have known it was the Christ child. Would you? There is a way of knowing:

Ask yourself what you have heard this Christmas Season?

Did you hear only the blast of music and carols, or did you hear the silent sighs of the lonely and the bereaved who may be dreading Christmas because it accentuates their loneliness, their loss of a loved one.

And in the midst of the sounds of honking horns and people arguing over parking places, did you hear faint sounds of laughter coming from church missions’ projects because you furnished shoeboxes, food and toys for families and children.

Ask yourself what you have seen this Christmas Season?

When you watched the 6:00 news did you see chaos and strife, or did you see sheep without a shepherd.

When you went out to do your shopping did you see only hordes of people in the stores, or did you notice the worried expressions on some of their faces–worried because they are facing this Christmas without employment or enough money and they don’t know how they are going to make ends meet.

So often what we hear and what we see is not dependent upon the event but upon us. If we did in fact hear the cry from the lonely, the laughter of poor children, if we saw the sheep without a shepherd, then, and only then, might we have noticed the events that took place in Bethlehem that night. If we lacked that spiritual hearing and seeing then we probably would have been with the 99% who were present but who heard or saw nothing out of the ordinary.  In the end perhaps one of our carols, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” words it best: No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin. Where meek souls shall receive him still, the dear Christ enters in. 

There are people for whom Christ enters in and lives on at Christmas.  “Look, the Lamb of God.”  Christ has entered our world at Christmas.  Now is our opportunity to decide how we will respond.  We are invited to follow.  We are invited to walk with God.  We are God’s solution to a troubled world but we can only share that solution if we do go.  “Look, the Lamb of God.” Let us follow him because Jesus is the Christmas choice, not only this Christmas Eve but also after Christmas!  Amen.

[Drama—“Lamb of God.”  The angelic voices announced the Radiance of Light—Jesus, the Lamb of God.  Let’s listen to what a young shepherdess recalls the night she first met Jesus, the Lamb of God.]

God is always in the midst of great darkness and suspicion, and when hatred and hostility rule, he brings love through the light of Jesus.

Many people today, even Jesus-followers, have lost sight of the simplicity and serenity of the Christmas season.  Jesus offers hope, joy, peace and love for the hurting and eternal life for those who are willing to accept the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  This Advent message series helps to remind us all that Christmas is not about us—Christmas is Jesus!

We are living this Christmas in a culture that is caught up with too much concentration on self.  We are driven to guarantee that our desires are met in the activities and relationships of our lives.  Besides, self-absorption impedes any true love of others or for that matter, any true celebration including Christmas. We want our desires to be met before we sense the needs of others.  Like our children, we want the gifts and perks of the Christmas season. We become infected with what may be called “life-rage.” “Life-rage” is an irritation that surges through our spirit when anyone or anything impinges upon our “space”.  For example, we are overcome with “road-rage” when another driver cuts us off on the highway as we enter a crowded mall. We even feel “parking lot rage” when a shopper blocks our “right-of-way” and takes away our parking place at that mall.

 Now that I am older and slower I sometimes feel rage welling up inside me when the young rush by riding their skateboards or bikes on the narrow sidewalks, oblivious of my presence, sometimes brushing against me as they crowd together, obviously more interested in each other than in me. Over time I am beginning to realize that this is but an aspect of a more general rage, a “geezer rage” at their being young and vigorous while I am growing old and wobbly.

We are centering our focus upon four key declarations concerning darkness and light:

In the darkness of DESPAIR Jesus is the light of HOPE

In the darkness of FEAR Jesus is the light of JOY

In the darkness of ANXIETY Jesus is the light of PEACE

In the darkness of SUSPICION Jesus is the light of LOVE

The first Advent message focused on the fact that God brought us hope from despair through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Traditionally Christmas is seen as a time of hope, but for so many people despair is the controlling emotion of their lives.  And that despair can bring a suffocating darkness.

The second Advent message focused on the fact that God brought us joy from fear through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Christmas is seen as a time of joy, but for so many people fear is the compelling emotion of their lives, and that fear can bring a paralyzing darkness.

The third Advent message focused on the fact that God brought us peace from anxiety through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Christmas is seen as a time of peace, but for so many people anxiety is the constraining emotion of their lives, and that anxiety can bring a troubling darkness.

The fourth and final message focuses on the fact that God brings us love from suspicion through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Christmas is seen as a time of love, but for so many people suspicion is the critical emotion of their lives, and that suspicion can bring a disbelieving darkness.

Suspicion = to have a feeling of distrust or perceived guilt for someone or something.

There are many people today who suspect that something is wrong without proof or on slight evidence.  Suspicion causes a state of mental uneasiness and uncertainty.  This uneasiness and uncertainty even carries over into our value or belief system.  Therefore, many people today cannot believe that God would enter the world in the miracle of the Incarnation.  “God becoming flesh” causes suspicion—this feeling of distrust for believing in the true essence of Christmas.

So it is obvious that such suspicion delivers a death-blow to the possibility of displaying authentic love with others. Such attention to self is the root of a destructive pride whereby we believe that we are better than everyone else, or that we take on a disbelieving suspicion when it comes to trusting others in their pursuits of life. We are enraged when others do not seem to recognize our superiority. We, the self-proclaimed philosophers, are infuriated by the utter ignorance of those around us. Love them? They are lucky that we do not sweep them out of our way!

We will discover in this message that Herod embodied a “life-rage,” a suspicious nature toward anyone who would challenge his superiority as king. 

Let’s center our attention on the gospel writer’s account in Matthew 2:1-12…

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

We can observe in these verses another important contrast in our message series.  We see the suspicious nature of Herod unwilling to acknowledge Jesus’ right to the throne—in essence, the throne of people’s lives.  Alongside this suspicion is the loving nature of the magi that willingly serve as a positive model of response to Jesus.  These foreign visitors come expectantly to the house where the little family lived.

God took the darkness that caused suspicion in Herod, and ushered in a worshipful spirit of trust in the lives of the magi.  In the likeness of our previous messages, God took the  suspicious and distrusting situation of Mary and Joseph, he took the things that made no sense at all and out of that darkness and suspicion, he brought light and love…not just for the magi, but to all who will allow Jesus to rule on the throne of their lives.  We affirm once again that it’s just like God to take what’s weak, worthless, uneasy and dark and use it to bring light and love to the world.

The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention — a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike — Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness.  We can read 1 Corinthians 13 and note what these verses have to say about the…

Primacy of love (vv. 1-3)    

Profile of love (vv. 4-7)

Permanence of love (vv. 8-13) 

During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the bell did not sound. The soldier’s fiancé had climbed into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking. When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions, she wept as she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Cromwell’s heart was touched and he said, “Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice. Curfew shall not ring tonight!” 

As we approach Christmas Day, many of us may be called to sacrifice our own lives like this young woman for the sake of those we love.  We are living in the midst of suspicion.  However, these magi will teach us that we can place the longing in our hearts upon the baby Jesus and worshipfully seek his lordship this Christmas.

A Twofold Outcome

We can affirm one last time the fact that God is not afraid of the dark. Out of darkness God can bring light and love where otherwise suspicion would rule.  No sooner was Jesus born than we see a twofold outcome in which people are always to be found in regard to Jesus Christ.  Through Herod, we can perceive what it means to harbor suspicion and distrust.  Through the magi, we can discover what it means to seek Jesus—gladly bow down in his presence in adoring worship, and welcome him with our gifts not only as Savior but also as our Lord.

The birth of Jesus and the subsequent journey of the magi unfold for us a twofold outcome:

1.  The reaction of hatred and hostility in the midst of royalty

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

It came to the ears of Herod that the magi had come from the East, and that they were searching for the little child who had been born to be King of the Jews.  Any king would have been suspicious at the report that a child had been born who was to occupy his throne.  But Herod was doubly disturbed.

Herod was concerned that this little child was going to interfere with his life, his place, his power, his influence, and therefore his first instinct was to distrust and destroy him.  He even summoned the chief priests and scribes.  However, they were completely indifferent to Herod’s distrust.  They were so engrossed in their Temple ritual and their legal discussions that they completely disregarded this babe from Bethlehem.  He meant nothing to them.  So Herod was unrestricted in his suspicion to react with hatred and hostility.  The Jewish leaders were non-players in this drama of the Incarnation.

It’s never enough to know who Jesus is.  Those who acknowledge his supernatural birth, but fail to commit themselves to him as Savior and Lord, are very much like Harod. There are still those people today who would gladly destroy Jesus Christ, because they see in him the one who interferes with their lives. They wish to do what they like, and being a Jesus-follower is based upon selflessness—not doing what they like. So many would dismiss Jesus as a Savior and Lord of their lives.  Jesus-followers are those who have ceased to do what they like, and have dedicated their lives to do as Jesus likes.  The outcome: like Harod, suspicion is embedded in our minds.

2.  The response of humility and homage in the midst of sovereignty

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Alerted by the appearance of an unusual star, the magi traveled to Judea to honor One born to be King.  We’ve noted that their arrival caused consternation, and Herod demanded to know where such a Person might be found.  The magi traveled a great distance to witness this child with his mother Mary.

As a side light, do we know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought disposable diapers.

When the magi arrived at the house (not a barn in Bethlehem), they bowed down in humility and worshiped Jesus.  The gifts recorded are the traditional gifts given to One in authority—gold, frankincense and myrrh.   More significant, however, is the pattern we see here in the magi.  They worshiped Jesus first, and then they opened their treasures and presented Jesus with gifts.  In humility, the response of adoring worship was the desire to lay at the feet of Jesus the noblest gifts which they could bring.

Too often we worship our treasures.  Money, or the things money can buy, becomes the focus of our lives.  When we worship wealth we have no room for Jesus, or for others.  We suspiciously hold close our treasures, unwilling to part with them for any cause.  Worshipping Jesus frees us from materialism.  Our “treasures” lose their grip on our hearts, and as we discover the blessing of serving Jesus, we willingly present our material treasures to him as gifts.  The outcome: like the magi, love is engraved upon our hearts.

Jesus provides a remedy for this darkness of suspicion.  Let’s note some of Jesus’ words…

Mark 12:30

30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

John 14:15

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

John 14:23

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

Matthew 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Matthew 25:40

40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.”

When God is involved, out of darkness comes light.  Out of suspicion comes love.  This truth is tenderly illustrated by the care given to an unsuspecting child—one considered like Jesus to be the “least of these.”

Ted Stallard undoubtedly qualifies as the one of “the least.” Turned off by school. Very sloppy in appearance. Expressionless. Unattractive. Even his teacher, Miss Thompson, enjoyed bearing down her red pen — as she placed Xs beside his many wrong answers. If only she had studied his records more carefully. They read: 1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation. 2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.  3rd grade: Ted is good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.  4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.

Christmas arrived. The children piled elaborately wrapped gifts on their teacher’s desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch Tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted’s package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker. But she silenced them by splashing some of the perfume on her wrist, and letting them smell it. She put the bracelet on too.  At day’s end, after the other children had left, Ted came by the teacher’s desk and said, “Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks real pretty on you. I’m glad you like my presents.” He left. Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her and to change her attitude.

The next day, the children were greeted by a reformed teacher—one committed to loving each of them—especially the slow ones. Especially Ted. Surprisingly, or maybe, not surprisingly, Ted began to show great improvement. He actually caught up with most of the students and even passed a few.

Time came and went. Miss Thompson heard nothing from Ted for a long time. Then, one day, she received this note… Dear Miss Thompson: I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Ted.

Four years later, another note arrived… Dear Miss Thompson: They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.  Love, Ted.

And four years later…Dear Miss Thompson: As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Ted.

Miss Thompson attended that wedding, and sat where Ted’s mother would have sat. The compassion she had shown that young man entitled her to that privilege.  Let’s have some real courage, and start giving to those considered the “least of these.” They may become like a Ted Stallard. Even if that doesn’t happen, we will have been faithful to the One who has always treated us—as unworthy as we are—like very special people.

What will be the outcome for you this Christmas?  Will you allow suspicion to rule your mind through a reaction of hatred and hostility?  Or will you allow love to embrace your heart through a response of humility and homage?  You may be in the darkness right now, restless with suspicious thoughts concerning the events surrounding your life.  If suspicion describes your mental and emotional state, your life—then I want to encourage you with the Christmas story.  It is a story of God taking suspicion…the suspicion of hatred and hostility, and out of that suspicion bringing LOVE.  God will do the same with your suspicion.  That’s what God does best.  In the darkness of SUSPICION Jesus is the light of LOVE! Amen.

God is always in the midst of great darkness and despair, and when God’s people forsake him, he brings hope through the light of Jesus.

Many people today, even Jesus-followers, have lost sight of the simplicity and serenity of the Christmas season.  Jesus offers hope, joy, peace and love for the hurting and eternal life for those who are willing to accept the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  This Advent message series will help remind us all that Christmas is not about us—Christmas is Jesus!

In
America today, when most people think of Christmas, they think of certain images. (Show slides of Christmas images.)  We have a very glamorous, glittery, plastic, cheery, bright image of Christmas here in America. 

It’s a holiday of parties, and gifts and shopping and decorations. 

It’s a holiday loaded with nostalgia and memory. 

It’s a holiday full of children singing and Rockwellian images of snow covered roofs and Christmas trees

It’s a holiday of joy in discovering just what lies entombed within the shiny red, white, gold and green paper covered boxes under the tree.

We don’t really have a solid grasp on this holiday.  That’s largely due to the fact that we celebrate a holiday when the true celebration should be that of a HOLY DAY.  It must be made clear that Christ actually never called for us to celebrate, commemorate or in any other way remember his birth.  He did call us to celebrate and remember his death, but not his birth.  However, if we’re going to celebrate his birth, we need to focus on the Holy Event that occurred and not on the entire glitzy, sparkly minutia that accompanies our current celebration of Christmas.

Typically, we get so caught up in the celebration, the business, the shopping, the decorations, the grand memories, that we forget that there is a dark side to Christmas.  We often forget that it was because of despair, fear, anxiety, and suspicion that Christmas even occurred.

We’re so distracted by the bright lights of the holiday that we forget the darkness that brought us a Holy Day.  That’s why, this Christmas season, we’re looking at a message series called “Christmas is Jesus!” The focus is not the darkness, but the light of Jesus.  We don’t want to focus on the dark, negative, depressing aspects that are symptomatic of our need for Christmas, but we must understand the dark side so that we may have greater understanding of the amazing grace of God.  So that we may have a greater understanding of just what it was God gave us through the gift of his Son on Christmas.

We will center our attention upon four key declarations concerning darkness and light:

In the darkness of DESPAIR Jesus is the light of HOPE

In the darkness of FEAR Jesus is the light of JOY

In the darkness of ANXIETY Jesus is the light of PEACE

In the darkness of SUSPICION Jesus is the light of LOVE

This first Advent message will focus on the fact that God brought us hope from despair through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Traditionally Christmas is seen as a time of hope, but for so many people despair is the controlling emotion of their lives.  And that despair can bring a suffocating darkness. 

Despair = the lack of hope; to lose all hope;

to be overcome by a sense of futility or defeat.

Many people, of all walks of life, of all faiths, of all experiences find themselves buried in the darkness of despair so deeply that hope isn’t a glimmer in the distance; it’s barely a distant memory.  Yet, out of the darkness of despair, God brings Jesus—the light of hope.

To understand this hope, let’s look at the contrast between the darkness of despair Israel found themselves in, and the light of hope when God chose to bring his Son into the world. 

This contrast is illustrated in Isaiah 9:2-7…

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as soldiers rejoice when dividing the plunder.  4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.  

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.

We can observe in these verses a sharp contrast with the darkened condition found in Isaiah 8:22…

22Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

This condition of darkness was one in which the whole nation with but a few had forsaken the Lord. It is also seen that when we forsake the Lord there is darkness and despair. But the God of all grace is always in the midst of great darkness and despair, in the midst of sin and when God’s people forsake him, he shows grace and promises.

Their new condition will be based upon the fact that the darkness, and all the destructiveness associated with it, will be replaced by the light which inaugurates a new era of hope, joy, peace and love.

This despair represented two important movements:

Movement 1: A growing darkness

There was a growing darkness.  The Jewish people were called out of slavery in Egypt to represent God to the nations.  God always hears the cry of the oppressed.  However, God’s people failed to live up to their God given destiny and returned to slavery under the Babylonians.  The Persians defeated the Babylonians, giving the Jews a small degree of self-rule.  But the prophet Isaiah announced God’s promise of rescue through a child who would be born, a Son given.  Concerning the increase of his government and peace of this promised deliverer, there would be no end.  But the Old Testament period ends with a promise still awaiting fulfillment.

Movement 2: A ray of hope

The ray of hope, announced by the prophet Isaiah, begins approximately 700 years before Herod began his insidious reign over the Jewish people. Throughout those years of despair, bloodshed, disillusionment, betrayal, mistrust, anger and fear, there was a ray of hope.  The Jews knew that God had promised a deliverer. They knew that God had promised them that a day was coming when there would be judgment for sin and when they would be set free from their oppression. 

These two movements affirm the truth that sometimes hope comes from the most unlikely places.  We expect hope to come into the darkness of despair like a beam of light through the skylight of a king’s palace.  But God doesn’t always work that way.  In fact, God rarely works that way.  God sometimes chooses to come into the darkness like a shaft of sunlight through the broken ceiling of a dark and dusty barn.  Here, in Israel’s darkest hour, God sends them a deliverer, a Messiah, but he doesn’t send a ray of light into the darkness…he brings the ray of light, the SUN of RIGHTEOUSNESS out of darkness.  God brings HOPE OUT OF DESPAIR. 

God takes what would appear to be a hopeless and dark situation and brings to Israel—and to us—the hope that was longed for, the light that would do more than illuminate the darkness, it would eventually eradicate the darkness.  In the midst of Israel’s darkness and hopelessness God begins to work as only God can.  Through a young, unmarried teenager and her fiancé, both of whom have been terrified, God’s redemptive plan begins to unfold. 

Let’s imagine for a moment the deliverer of Israel, God’s “Treasured Possession” being born to a young Jewish girl through a situation that violated all the Jewish customs, norms and religious traditions.   Let’s imagine the deliverer being born in a stable during a time when the power of Rome held the people down like a boot on their backs.  Deliverers, Kings are not born in stables.  That’s not what we think of when we think of the God shattering the darkness with his light.  Surely God would use a powerful and royal Messiah.  Surely God wouldn’t take the darkness of an illegitimate child, born in a barn, to bring light and hope.

But that is exactly what God did.  He took the darkness that engulfed the people of Israel, he took the desperate situation of Mary and Joseph, he took the things that made no sense at all and out of that darkness and despair, he brought light and hope…not just for Israel, but for the entire world.  It’s just like God to take what’s weak, worthless, hopeless and dark and use it to bring light and hope to the world.

Light Promised and Practiced

God is not afraid of the dark. Out of darkness God can bring light and hope where otherwise there would be none.  So we return to Isaiah’s promise…

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness 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.

Nothing is more beneficial to any one whom darkness has so overtaken than to find light; to have light provided for them. There are a number of reasons for this.

Because light gives illumination

Because light gives understanding

Because light shows the clear path to take

Because light drives away despair

Because light reveals what is in the darkness

The dimensions of this promised light are also beneficial to any one whom darkness has so overtaken to find light.  There are four dimensions.

“Wonderful Counselor” alongside to bring understanding

“Mighty God” above to provide protection

“Everlasting Father” underneath to offer care

“Prince of Peace” within to bring contentment

Just as the former things are spiritual realities, the Lord provides a remedy for this darkness of despair.  It is experienced practically in his Son.

Jesus is the light that gives the great hope of our text in Luke 1:78-79…

78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

The claim of the Savior in John 8:12 and 12:46…

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

This light in reality has come into the hearts of everyone that are saved in 2 Corinthians 4:6…

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

That we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness…into his light in Colossians 1:13…

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

When God is involved, out of darkness comes light.  Out of despair comes hope.  This truth is beautifully illustrated by the following testimony of a young woman who lost her husband to cancer.

This is my fourth holiday season without my husband at my side. His death in the spring of 2005 still rocks my recovering world especially in the holiday season. I can still replay our last Christmas together in my head. A new baby, our lovely 6 year old son and death loomed over our head. Dave’s diagnosis with stage four pancreas cancer had only come a few short months before in October. We were still in shock and still trying to comprehend. We were surrounded with support of our family, friends and faith community. There was light in the darkness, hope through our despair.

Advent has a way of pulling at me. Darkness, such deep seasonal darkness forces me to reflect on the darkness and despair I have walked through in the past few years. It also has such a strong force that makes me look at the light. The light always returns…how is that! Every fall, we walk into growing darkness and after sitting in the darkness for sometimes what seems like a lifetime…we are greeted by growing light and warmth. We all walk into despair and darkness in our lives. Advent gives us a moment to look at our growth or possibly lack of growth through these moments.  It is this great moment where we are invited to still ourselves and look at our darkest moments with the light of hope growing and inviting us into warmth, growth and love.

This Advent, I can certainly see my family’s growth in this time of tragedy. My children are still growing of course.  We have chosen to find hope in our lives again. It is definitely a conscious choice…time does not always heal. Holidays find so many of us blue and despairing, especially when times are tragic, but Advent reminds us that the light can grow. The seasons remind us that the light and warmth will grow with or without our consent. Our great Creator has built in this system, a cycle of hope for us to guide us through times of despair. It will always happen, God never gives up. Sometimes our loving God is just sitting in the darkness with us, still and present while building the light around us. Our Advent always culminates with the Light coming into our world. It is the gift that keeps on giving even when we feel weak and hopeless…the light will build. When we choose to turn toward the light, we open up a new time of love and growth that we may have never expected.

The Christmas story is a beautiful story from a growing darkness to a ray of hope.  It’s the story of God reaching into the darkness and, out of that darkness, bringing light, hope, and life.  It’s a story that we must never get tired of hearing.  It’s a story that, as we learn more and more about it, becomes more meaningful to us.  Every time we hear this story…the story of God bringing hope out of despair… we fall in love with it all over again.  I fall in love with the story of Christmas because it is MY story.  And if we really think about it and if we’re honest, it’s YOUR story too.

That first Christmas wasn’t all bright and cheery.  It wasn’t decorated with plastic trees, bright lights, candy canes and gifts.  The first Christmas came in a time of darkness and despair.  It was a time that many believed to be hopeless.  It was a time when people called out to God for deliverance, and God always hears the cry of the oppressed.  There was a dark side to that first Christmas, but God wasn’t limited by the darkness.  Instead, God used it to bring light and hope.  In the darkness of DESPAIR Jesus is the light of HOPE.

And here is the good news for us today; here is how this story is our story.  God still brings light out of darkness.  God still brings hope out of despair.  God didn’t limit his transforming power to the first Christmas.  God’s hope wasn’t dangled in front of Israel and all of humankind as a limited one time offer.  God makes it available to each and every one of us right here, right now.

I don’t know what despair you may be dealing with in your life this Christmas season.  I don’t know if it’s just a shadow of darkness or if it’s all consuming.  Debt, divorce, bad health, broken relationships, spiritual emptiness—whatever despair you are dealing with, whatever the situation you find to be hopeless, I know that God isn’t afraid of the dark.  I know that, just as he did the first Christmas, God will take that darkness and despair and he will bring light and hope…it’s what God does best.

If you are in the darkness right now, if despair describes your emotional state, your life—then I want to encourage you with the Christmas story.  It is a story of God taking despair…the despair of oppression, the despair of poverty, the despair of a hopeless pregnancy, the despair of a hopeless people and out of that despair bringing HOPE.  God will do the same with your despair.  That’s what God does best.  In the darkness of DESPAIR Jesus is the light of HOPE! Amen.