Christmas Eve December 24, 2022
Isaiah 9:2-7
The Light in the Darkness
v.2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
Dear friends in Christ, welcome to one and all this very joyous night in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus—our Saviour. Our text for this evening is taken from our Old Testament reading according to the prophet Isaiah who prophesied some 700-800 years before Christ was actually born in Bethlehem. He speaks to the people of Israel who were themselves facing some very dark and dangerous times with the oppression of their not-so-nice Babylonian neighbours. He speaks of hope in the face of despair—light in the midst of darkness.
Have you ever been in the dark? I mean truly in the dark? In our modern world of convenience with powerful flashlights and electric lights in the home, in our cars, on our streets, we are very rarely left out in the dark. I remember when I was in grade 8 in Edmonton, Alberta, my class went on an extended camping trip to the mountains near Jasper. One activity we did was to go spelunking. What is that? It is when you go and explore caves. After we had worked our way deep into a cave, our teacher had us all find a spot to sit in the cool dampness and then turn off our lights. Talk about dark! You couldn’t see your own hand waving in front of your face, let alone a friend who was only a couple of feet away. The darkness was so deep as to be almost tangible—it was heavy and oppressive—kind of scary. After several minutes we were all quite relieved to put our lights back on and get out of there.
Though we may know deep down that there is no reason to be truly afraid of the dark, yet we also know that bad things can and often do happen in the dark. Otherwise, why would we spend so much time and money on interior and exterior lighting for our homes/businesses/public places? This world is a dark and dangerous place. Don’t believe me? Turn on the news once in a while and see what kind of terrible things happen every single day. What time of the day do most bad things happen? In the middle of the night—when things are at their darkest.
The darkness of the world outside of us is symptomatic of an even greater darkness that is within. A darkness that affects everything we are, think, say, and do. “No way! Not me!” you may be thinking. “I’m a pretty good person and all is going pretty well in my life—not much darkness here—maybe a few shadows is all, but nothing too bad. It’s pretty much all sunshine and roses for me!
The darkness of which I speak, however, is a part of you—Yes! YOU! For the darkness is that of sin and death. Sin that has been inherited by every human being on the planet and that blinds us all to its own presence and deadly effects. The sin that resides in each of your hearts is dark, dangerous, and deadly. And I don’t just mean deadly in the sense of dropping dead after choking on a bone from the Christmas turkey or from arteries clogged with butter from all the Christmas goodies. No, I mean dead in the sense of eternal death and damnation in hell—the just punishment by God for your sin.
This is the world in which we find ourselves. This is the web of darkness that has trapped us with no escape on our own. We are caught and dead in our trespasses and sins before a holy and righteous God who must punish sin with death and hell, according to His Word.
Though we may turn a blind eye towards it. Though we may try and wish it away—our sin clings to us still—breaking down relationships—sapping our life—our energy—killing us—inside and out. Though things may be going well, right now. Though we may have a good job, a wonderful family, a nice cabin, a new boat and two cars, the latest i-pad, the newest gaming system—what happens when all that is gone? What happens when all that is taken away—robbed by the passage of time and death? Where will you turn in the darkness? Where will you go when you can’t see the way? Where will you turn when you are blinded to the truth? Where will you go when you die?
Heavy questions, indeed, for this Christmas Eve, but necessary ones. For Isaiah, the prophet of old, has the answer for us. He speaks to those like you and me who are caught in darkness—who walk and dwell in darkness! He speaks of a light that has shined. A light that brings joy and peace everlasting to those who look upon it. What is this light? Perhaps the better question to ask is “Who is this light?” Isaiah answers in v.6, “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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Did you hear that? The Light—this glorious light that lightens up our dark world of sin and death and brings healing, forgiveness, and life—is a child—a son—more than that He is Mighty God—the Prince of Peace! This is He of whom the angels spoke to the shepherds—announcing to them the great and glorious good news that the long-awaited Saviour of the world had been born. “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’”
Beloved, the Good News for you this evening is the same that was given to the shepherds long ago and the people of Israel through Isaiah even before that! This news is of God who came to dwell among us in our own flesh. Taking all our sin into His own innocent and sinless body—He would carry it to the cross to thereby suffer the dark and dreadful judgment of God for our sin. He would suffer and die—endure the fires of hell—in your place and mine—so that in Him and by His light we might be freed from the darkness of sin and death that shrouds us—thereby moved to finally live in Him forever.
For in Christ, the Light of the World, all of your many sins are fully and completely forgiven. In Christ and His Light the darkness of your sin and the shadow of death has been burned away—removed by the Light of His own redeeming love and faithfulness. And this Gospel—this Good News—is not something that you can hear just anywhere. You won’t hear about it on the 6 o’clock news—you won’t see it in the majesty of nature as you go ski-doing or ice fishing—you won’t see it in the wider universe as you marvel at the planets and stars. For this is truly news! News that must be proclaimed—announced!
As the angels first shouted out with joy the Good News to those lowly shepherds about the Saviour’s birth—so it is the church’s job today to continue to proclaim this wondrous Good News to all people in all places and times. This is what the church is truly all about. This is why it is so important for you to attend church regularly—not just once or twice a year—but as often as possible—so that you may rest secure in the Light of Jesus’ Gospel that assures you of His forgiveness and mercy.
Those who separate themselves from the Light of Christ are like those who would throw away their flashlight in the deep, dark cave and try to walk around blindly as though nothing was wrong or dangerous. Therefore, I encourage you, I plead and exhort you to come to the Lord’s service as often as possible. Come! Hear this good news for you over and over again that you might be strengthened and encouraged in your faith when the darkness of the world, the devil, and even your own sinful flesh seeks to pull you down into the blackness of sin and despair.
Jesus is your victory! Jesus is your light, shining brightly in the darkness as a beacon to show you that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father—no one gets to heaven—except through Him. He has purchased and won your soul with the sacrifice of His own body and blood on the cross. He longs to soothe your troubled minds and hearts with His comforting Word. He desires to wash you clean of your sin in Holy Baptism and to feed you with His own body and blood in His Holy Supper. These are His gifts to you the whole year through. Gifts that give you all the wonders that the Christ child won for you with His perfect life, death, and resurrection.
Beloved, as you travel home this evening in the darkness—each time you pass a light on the street—each time you turn on the lights in your home—when you look upon the lights of your own Christmas tree—remember. Remember with joy and thanksgiving the great things that God has done for you in His own beloved Son, Jesus, the Light of the World to come. The light of Jesus’ love and mercy shines down on you through His blessed Word and Sacraments whereby the Good News of the Gospel of forgiveness is announced to you again and again. Reassuring and comforting you and giving you peace and life and light. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Isaiah 9:2-7
The Light in the Darkness
v.2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
Dear friends in Christ, welcome to one and all this very joyous night in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus—our Saviour. Our text for this evening is taken from our Old Testament reading according to the prophet Isaiah who prophesied some 700-800 years before Christ was actually born in Bethlehem. He speaks to the people of Israel who were themselves facing some very dark and dangerous times with the oppression of their not-so-nice Babylonian neighbours. He speaks of hope in the face of despair—light in the midst of darkness.
Have you ever been in the dark? I mean truly in the dark? In our modern world of convenience with powerful flashlights and electric lights in the home, in our cars, on our streets, we are very rarely left out in the dark. I remember when I was in grade 8 in Edmonton, Alberta, my class went on an extended camping trip to the mountains near Jasper. One activity we did was to go spelunking. What is that? It is when you go and explore caves. After we had worked our way deep into a cave, our teacher had us all find a spot to sit in the cool dampness and then turn off our lights. Talk about dark! You couldn’t see your own hand waving in front of your face, let alone a friend who was only a couple of feet away. The darkness was so deep as to be almost tangible—it was heavy and oppressive—kind of scary. After several minutes we were all quite relieved to put our lights back on and get out of there.
Though we may know deep down that there is no reason to be truly afraid of the dark, yet we also know that bad things can and often do happen in the dark. Otherwise, why would we spend so much time and money on interior and exterior lighting for our homes/businesses/public places? This world is a dark and dangerous place. Don’t believe me? Turn on the news once in a while and see what kind of terrible things happen every single day. What time of the day do most bad things happen? In the middle of the night—when things are at their darkest.
The darkness of the world outside of us is symptomatic of an even greater darkness that is within. A darkness that affects everything we are, think, say, and do. “No way! Not me!” you may be thinking. “I’m a pretty good person and all is going pretty well in my life—not much darkness here—maybe a few shadows is all, but nothing too bad. It’s pretty much all sunshine and roses for me!
The darkness of which I speak, however, is a part of you—Yes! YOU! For the darkness is that of sin and death. Sin that has been inherited by every human being on the planet and that blinds us all to its own presence and deadly effects. The sin that resides in each of your hearts is dark, dangerous, and deadly. And I don’t just mean deadly in the sense of dropping dead after choking on a bone from the Christmas turkey or from arteries clogged with butter from all the Christmas goodies. No, I mean dead in the sense of eternal death and damnation in hell—the just punishment by God for your sin.
This is the world in which we find ourselves. This is the web of darkness that has trapped us with no escape on our own. We are caught and dead in our trespasses and sins before a holy and righteous God who must punish sin with death and hell, according to His Word.
Though we may turn a blind eye towards it. Though we may try and wish it away—our sin clings to us still—breaking down relationships—sapping our life—our energy—killing us—inside and out. Though things may be going well, right now. Though we may have a good job, a wonderful family, a nice cabin, a new boat and two cars, the latest i-pad, the newest gaming system—what happens when all that is gone? What happens when all that is taken away—robbed by the passage of time and death? Where will you turn in the darkness? Where will you go when you can’t see the way? Where will you turn when you are blinded to the truth? Where will you go when you die?
Heavy questions, indeed, for this Christmas Eve, but necessary ones. For Isaiah, the prophet of old, has the answer for us. He speaks to those like you and me who are caught in darkness—who walk and dwell in darkness! He speaks of a light that has shined. A light that brings joy and peace everlasting to those who look upon it. What is this light? Perhaps the better question to ask is “Who is this light?” Isaiah answers in v.6, “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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Did you hear that? The Light—this glorious light that lightens up our dark world of sin and death and brings healing, forgiveness, and life—is a child—a son—more than that He is Mighty God—the Prince of Peace! This is He of whom the angels spoke to the shepherds—announcing to them the great and glorious good news that the long-awaited Saviour of the world had been born. “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’”
Beloved, the Good News for you this evening is the same that was given to the shepherds long ago and the people of Israel through Isaiah even before that! This news is of God who came to dwell among us in our own flesh. Taking all our sin into His own innocent and sinless body—He would carry it to the cross to thereby suffer the dark and dreadful judgment of God for our sin. He would suffer and die—endure the fires of hell—in your place and mine—so that in Him and by His light we might be freed from the darkness of sin and death that shrouds us—thereby moved to finally live in Him forever.
For in Christ, the Light of the World, all of your many sins are fully and completely forgiven. In Christ and His Light the darkness of your sin and the shadow of death has been burned away—removed by the Light of His own redeeming love and faithfulness. And this Gospel—this Good News—is not something that you can hear just anywhere. You won’t hear about it on the 6 o’clock news—you won’t see it in the majesty of nature as you go ski-doing or ice fishing—you won’t see it in the wider universe as you marvel at the planets and stars. For this is truly news! News that must be proclaimed—announced!
As the angels first shouted out with joy the Good News to those lowly shepherds about the Saviour’s birth—so it is the church’s job today to continue to proclaim this wondrous Good News to all people in all places and times. This is what the church is truly all about. This is why it is so important for you to attend church regularly—not just once or twice a year—but as often as possible—so that you may rest secure in the Light of Jesus’ Gospel that assures you of His forgiveness and mercy.
Those who separate themselves from the Light of Christ are like those who would throw away their flashlight in the deep, dark cave and try to walk around blindly as though nothing was wrong or dangerous. Therefore, I encourage you, I plead and exhort you to come to the Lord’s service as often as possible. Come! Hear this good news for you over and over again that you might be strengthened and encouraged in your faith when the darkness of the world, the devil, and even your own sinful flesh seeks to pull you down into the blackness of sin and despair.
Jesus is your victory! Jesus is your light, shining brightly in the darkness as a beacon to show you that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father—no one gets to heaven—except through Him. He has purchased and won your soul with the sacrifice of His own body and blood on the cross. He longs to soothe your troubled minds and hearts with His comforting Word. He desires to wash you clean of your sin in Holy Baptism and to feed you with His own body and blood in His Holy Supper. These are His gifts to you the whole year through. Gifts that give you all the wonders that the Christ child won for you with His perfect life, death, and resurrection.
Beloved, as you travel home this evening in the darkness—each time you pass a light on the street—each time you turn on the lights in your home—when you look upon the lights of your own Christmas tree—remember. Remember with joy and thanksgiving the great things that God has done for you in His own beloved Son, Jesus, the Light of the World to come. The light of Jesus’ love and mercy shines down on you through His blessed Word and Sacraments whereby the Good News of the Gospel of forgiveness is announced to you again and again. Reassuring and comforting you and giving you peace and life and light. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.