As I drive through town and enjoy the splendor of all of the Christmas lights this year, I think about the light of Christ. Isaiah tells us of a new day coming (Isaiah 9).
Verse 2 explains: Before, the people lived in darkness, but they had seen a great light. Those were troubling times in the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. At that time, the Jews were living in a nightmare. Centuries of hostile forces had laid their precious land to ruin. They had nothing left except for the hope to which they had clung to for centuries - hope for a Rescuer, for a Savior, for a loving and forgiving One.
Verse 6: Unto us a child is born; God has given a child to us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Believers get to look for the light of Christ shining through the darkness. Our Savior will always be with us, we will never be forsaken.
This brings me to John 3:16: God so loved the world that God gave God's one and only Son so that whoever believes may not be lost, but have eternal life. Jesus came to shine the light of God's love on the world and to save us from our sins.
Like a flashlight with fresh batteries illuminating an otherwise dark room, Christ's light offers brilliant clarity to lives in need. His light brings comfort and confidence. So as we see all of the Christmas lights, let them be a reminder of the light of Christ. The light has come into the world. All is calm, all is bright!
Adrian Blackwell, Councilman, City of Eldridge, is a member at St. Paul Lutheran Church
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