14 D E CE MB E R
CHRISTMAS IN CAPTIVITY
Heavenly Father, You reign with righteousness and justice for eternity. You are my refuge and my hope. May I find freedom and joy in Your presence now. Amen
I SAI AH 9 : 1 –7 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan –
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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 2
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ON THOSE LIVING IN THE LAND OF DEEP DARKNESS A LIGHT HAS DAWNED. ISAIAH 9:2
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ev. Martin Niemoller, a prominent German pastor, spent nearly eight years in Nazi concentration camps because he openly opposed Hitler. On Christmas Eve 1944, Niemoller spoke these words of hope to his fellow prisoners in Dachau: “My dear friends, on this Christmas . . . let us seek, in the Babe of Bethlehem, the One who came to us in order to bear with us everything that weighs heavily upon us. . . . God Himself has built a bridge from Himself to us! A dawn from on
high has visited us!” At Christmas we embrace the good news that God, in Christ, has come to us wherever we are and has bridged the gap between us. He even built a bridge from Himself to humbled, outcast shepherds, transforming them into evangelists of His life-changing salvation (LUKE 2:17)! God can invade any prison of darkness we find ourselves in with His light, lifting the load of sorrow, guilt or loneliness that weighs us down. On that bleak Christmas Eve in prison, Niemoller shared this good news: “Out of the brilliance that surrounded the shepherds a shining ray will fall into our darkness.” His words remind us of the prophet Isaiah, who prophetically said, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (ISAIAH 9:2). No matter where today finds us, Jesus has penetrated our dark world with His joy and light! o DAVID MCCASLAND Read today’s passage again. How has Jesus brought light into your life? What title or description of Jesus in verses 6 and 7 gives you most hope if you feel trapped today?
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, I ask for Your strong deliverance today. Thank You that Your loving reign over the world and over me will never end.
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