The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light
Isaiah 9:1-7
9 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Darkness, despair, depression, discouragement filled the land. But a light has come, is promised, that will pierce the darkness. This transition, the darkness being overcome by the light, is a source of joy – joy beyond ordinary joy, it is the joy of harvest when there is enough food for the next year, it is the joy at the end of war when the violence is over. It is the joy of having been set free from oppression, of being released from the bully’s threat, of being freed from being witness to destruction. This joy occurs when the world changes; when lives are changed.
What is the source of this light, this hope, this joy. It is a child’s birth. A child who will be God living among the people – Mighty God, Everlasting Father. God living among us reshapes the world, for God the Wonderful (Wise) Counsellor acts. Counselor in the ancient world was not someone you went to for therapy, rather a counselor was a planner, organizer, the one who brought the monarch’s plans into being. (Think like a town counselor.) This child will implement God’s plan for the redemption of the world. Prince of Peace – at least four areas of peace are included – peace with God, knowing the grace and forgiveness God offers us; peace with each other, being in reconciled and whole relationships with family, friends, co-workers, neighbours and between nations; peace with creation, living in healed relationship with the creation with which humanity is often in conflict; peace with ourselves, living free from conflict with ourselves, no longer torn by internal struggles and confusions. The Prince of Peace comes to bring wholeness to our lives and our world – spiritually, community-wise, with creation, and psychologically.
This child will bring righteousness, the right pattern of life to the world. So that all may live in peace and joy. God will make sure this happens – God’s zeal will bring this about.
PRAYER:
We rejoice, O Lord, with a joy beyond words that Jesus has come and is bringing your reign of wise counsel and peace into being. Draw us into your vision for the world. Bring peace to our lives, to our families, our community and the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.