– Isaiah 9:2-76

The visual imagery in this passage is so rich and poetic. We see humankind wandering aimlessly, burdened by the weight of hopelessness, anxiety, depression, angst, and despair. People merely existing, without purpose or meaning. Darkness hovers over the land. Then suddenly, they see a great light, and as they turn towards it, the light floods their faces. The yoke of oppression lifts from their shoulders and despair is replaced with joy. This passage predicts a child called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. It is a prophecy of Christ’s divine mission and eternal reign.

As I prayed through the passage for today, the Lord immediately brought to mind two memories of different times when I was on mission in Thailand with teams from Riverlife:

One night we went to one of the red-light-district streets in the heart of Bangkok. It’s a strange situation. Bars and clubs holding sex shows line the street. But, outside are markets where tourists stroll and shop. We set ourselves up on a street corner, whipped out a guitar and the team started singing Christmas Carols. As they sang, I started to prayer walk, wandering down the lanes of market stalls. I prayed the words I was hearing being sung:

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
God and sinners reconciled!
Light and life to all He brings!
He rules the world with truth and grace!
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!
His law is love, and His gospel is peace!

And then, as I wandered further away, I couldn’t hear the team singing any more.  It was like I stepped through a curtain and into darkness. I kept praying and walking, turning at the end of the row to walk back down another row until suddenly up ahead I could see bright light. As I stepped into the light, I heard the team singing again. The same thing repeated each row: when I couldn’t hear the team singing the incredible truths of praise in the Christmas carols, I felt the oppression of darkness around me. But when I could hear their worship, I was walking in light. And when I’d walked the full circle, I found that the light radiating from the team had drawn many people towards it; some smiled, some cried, some questioned, and some agreed to receive prayer. It was a wonderful night of experiencing God’s light shining in the darkness.

The other memory was from another trip when we were in a women’s prison. A few years ago, the warden of this prison became a Christian through the House of Blessing. Since then, he had been running Bible study classes in the prison. The first four rows of prisoners were women who had become Christians in prison. As we started singing “Amazing Grace”, they all joined in. But, their faces were so beautiful. Every one of them radiated with light, joy, hope, and love. The difference between those who knew the love of a Saviour and those who didn’t was profoundly evident. The difference between living without hope in darkness and despair, and living with hope and increased joy was so visibly palpable. It was the most beautiful embodiment of today’s scripture…

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those who were living in the land of deep darkness a glorious, all-encompassing light has dawned.
Jesus, You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
And we can clearly see how they rejoice before you, as people rejoice at the harvest.

In this lead-up to Christmas, as you sing the words of the carols, choose to determine to ponder, proclaim, and pray the promises of God. Through the gift of His wonderful son, our Prince of Peace, He has drawn us out of deep darkness into His glorious light. And to this light, there will be no end!

Father, thank You for leading us into Your light. Thank You for the gift of Your Son: our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. We rejoice before You! Holy Spirit, embolden us as we share the joy of our hope with those around us, that they too may come to know Your love and Your peace which knows no end. Amen