Jesus the light is born
Christmas is a time of experiencing God’s promise. At Christmas, we rekindle hope in the faithful love of God for humankind.
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We sing, “joy to the world, the Lord is come”. Relief, in the person of Christ, the Messiah, has come! Jesus, the light of the world is born!!
One of the most challenging things we have experienced in Ghana in 2014 has been how to manage “dumsor - dumsor” (electricity supply). It has engaged the attention of the presidency; being the concern of Industries; interrupted office work and programmes; and irritated many homes. We do not like the darkness “dumsor” brings. It is very uncomfortable.
But God was concerned with a more bitter darkness of sin, evil, and rebellion affecting His covenant people, Israel. He promised them relief. Their experiences would change.
The Messiah, Christ, will redefine their fortunes and deal with a situation absolutely more challenging than they could resolve themselves.
“Dumsor” could be solved with appropriate strategic planning and careful mobilisation of our resources. But God’s covenant people could never on their own deal with the darkness that sin and rebellion towards God brings upon people. This requires divine intervention.
God speaks to Israel through the Prophet Isaiah to give His covenant people and the Gentiles hope.
Let’s listen to Isaiah’s prophecy:
“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”.
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“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. 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. 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!” (Isaiah 9:1-2; 6-8 NLT)
When the baby Jesus grew up and began His public ministry, He went to the synagogue one day and declared, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (John 8:12 NLT)
Our Christmas message (and prayerful thought) find its root and derive its authority from this and other Biblical records on Christ the Messiah: At Christmas:
• May Christ Jesus shine His light to drive away all darkness and dark experiences from our personal lives and from any negative situation as a nation.
• Most importantly, may Christ’s light drive away the darkness of sin and practice of wickedness, slander, treachery and evil from our lives, communities, and country.
• May the Power of Christ’s blood break the power of sin in our lives and give us real freedom.
• May the power of Jesus bring light and renewed life to us at Christmas.
• May the light of Christ’s word, the Bible, continue to drive away darkness from our hearts and minds, and
• May His power and His word lead and guide us in the New Year to peace, love for neighbour and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!
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(The author is a Leadership Development and Cross-cultural Ministries Consultant, an International, conference speaker and formerly General Director / CEO of Scripture Union Ghana. Email: [email protected] / [email protected])
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