Isaiah 9:2-7

Intro

Among all of the pieces of scripture that we read, what we are about to hear (with the exception of the 23rd Psalm), are the most recognizable. Every year we come back around to Christmas, and every year, we hear from the words of the prophet Isaiah, and the Gospel according to Luke. Every year we hear the same words…and yet every year it is as if we are hearing the story for the first time. I think one of the reasons this takes place is because when we hear these words we are taken back to a time when the simplest of things drew our attention and we could not look away: we are taken back to a time when it seemed as if the light of a candle was the most brilliant thing that we had ever beheld. Isaiah foretells of this light coming into the world, "and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The scripture reads this way.

Isaiah 9:2-7

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 Counselor, 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 onward and forevermore.

Luke 2:1-7

Intro

The light that was foretold of by the prophet then comes into the world, as a child: so frail and weak, and yet ultimately strong enough to carry the light that would lead us back into a right relationship with the Almighty. Listen again as the light of the world came in to the world in a new way, a way that changed the world for all time.

Luke 2:1-7

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:8-20

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

"The Light"

"The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light." Those words kept reverberating through the recesses of my mind. "The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light." No matter how hard I tried, I could not escape them. "The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light."

One of my first memories of Christmas takes me back to when I couldn’t have been much older than 5 or 6. The reason that it has carved a place out in my mind is because of how important light is to people who are in darkness. It took place during the Christmas Eve service at Huff’s Church down in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. The sanctuary was on the second floor of the building and when all of the seats were being occupied both on the main floor and in the balcony, the church could sit 500 people if not more. To a small set of eyes, the space was huge, and I remember it being full for that Christmas Eve service. I was seated about two thirds of the way back and had positioned myself on the center aisle.

I don’t remember anything in terms of the service itself. What I remember is the light. Like we will do in a few moments, the overhead lights were turned off and the sanctuary fell into utter darkness. I don’t remember being scared, but I’m sure that I was. As I looked forward I saw that a candle had been lit. I was glad that it was because even though I was far away from it, it was providing a luminance that let me know that everything was going to be alright. Then that light began to be shared: first with one, then another, and another. These bearers of the light stepped out into the sanctuary and began to light the candles of those who were seated on the ends of the pews. Within moments, the light that had been limited to one solitary flame had spread throughout the entirety of the sanctuary. We had been immersed in darkness and yet it was from just one flame that a light emerged to ultimately shine brighter than any light bulb could ever dream. "The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light."

The light came into the world in a way that was anything but extraordinary: a little baby being born to a young, yet-to-be married couple in the sort of dwelling that was normally only seen fit to house the animals. A single solitary light being wrapped in bands of cloth and laid in a manger: anything but extraordinary.

But, just like in that sanctuary of the days of my youth, it didn’t take long for the light to begin to move beyond its initial confines. Soon, shepherds came to see if what had been told to them by the divine messengers was true and in doing that, they allowed the light from that newborn child to be passed to them. They took that newly shared light and then began to share it with others as they told them about the events that they had become participants in. Throughout the pages of scriptures we hear about how that light continued to be shared: with the wise men, the Pharisees in the temple when Jesus was just 13, the disciples, the woman at the well, the Roman centurion, the criminal on the cross, a man named Paul. Those who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light continued to be shared, the light continued to be embraced and cherished as the gift that it is, the light continued to be passed on so that yet another person might know that light has shined upon them.

And now we are here tonight: in this sanctuary. Many of us have crossed the threshold of this church and regardless of the number of lights that are turned on, it feels so dark. It feels as if no matter what we do, no matter where we go, that all we find is darkness. You try and act as if the world is light and cheery, but where it really matters, in your heart, your mind, your soul, you understand what Isaiah means when he says, "those who live in a land of deep darkness." You’re there. You know that darkness.

I am here to say that the light that Isaiah spoke of, the light that came to fruition in the birth of an infant king, that light is still being shared today. It is being offered to you here tonight, to receive it for the first time, or to receive it in a new way. The light that broke forth in the darkness so long ago is reaching forth longing to help light your way.

Some of you may hear what I am saying and think that I am just making way too much out of what it means to light a candle. After all, it’s just a candle. And that is true.

But the light that comes from Christ as is symbolized in the lighting of that very simple candle is so much more: it can be, if you are willing to receive it, embrace it, and cherish it, it can become the light that will guide your steps through even the darkest of days. As a boy I watched as that light broke forth through the darkness of what felt like a cavernous sanctuary. As an adult, I have seen that light shine forth in ways that allowed me to hold on, when all I wanted to do was let go. As dark as it felt, the light was still there, imploring me to remember, imploring me to hold on. I don’t know where you are, or what you are facing, but what I do know is that with the light that is from the Lord Jesus Christ, you can make it. Hold on to the light, embrace it, cherish it, and then, when God might make you ready, share it with another.

Those who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We have gathered into this place of worship for a whole lot of reasons. I hope that when we leave in a little while that each of us might be able to carry forth the light of Christ into all that we say and do. Let us move forward, living in darkness no more.

"Those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined." The light is shining. Trust in that light. It will never let you down.

After Sermon Prayer

Holy God, Your light is in the world. We have heard of its arrival again in these oh so familiar words. We pray that we might be able to receive the gift of Your light so that, regardless of the darkness that we may face, it will be able to light our path. Lord, let it be so. Amen.