The Darkness At Christmas
Thanksgiving was only eight days away. Michelle, who teaches the Bible in our mid-week children's program, decided to ask her preschoolers about the upcoming holiday. She thought it would be effective to have the class playfully correct some wrong ideas about Thanksgiving. "Now let me see. Thanksgiving. That's the day when we think about all the stuff we have. And how we want more things than anybody else has. And how we don't care about anybody but ourselves. And —" "No!" the kids started to yell. "No-o-o!" Then one little guy called out, "That's not Thanksgiving, Miss Michelle, that's Christmas!"
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men.
In 1847, Adolph Adam sought to echo
the angels and wrote about the soul finding it’s worth, once hopeless beings
experience the thrill of hope and the weary world rejoicing because a new and
glorious morning has broken. To those who are fatherless, especially those
whose fathers have been cut down by the gun, He is the everlasting Father.
To those who are distressed, confused, anxious, and misguided He is The
Counsellor. To the weak and defenseless, the downtrodden and the abused
He is The Mighty God. To those whose life is filled with war, to those who are
not at peace with themselves, to those whose families are facing the pain of
conflicts and segregation, He is the prince of peace.
As much as we sing the carols though, if we really stop to reflect on the
words, we get a sense of a deep disconnect between our hopes and dreams
and the realities of life upon this rock we call home. Several questions raise
themselves, clamouring for answers: When we look behind the zinc fences (if
we are brave enough to do so), do we see anything to smile about? Why
should we be so high on the totem pole of the corruption index?
Why are some people still having to live without the basic sanitary conveniences? Why
are productivity levels so low? Where is the joy to the world when there is no
money? Where do we locate hope in the midst of the prophets of doom and
destruction? How do we find the strength to tie our laces and get ready to
sprint ahead into the 2nd decade of the 21st century?
The Gospel writer, Matthew offers us more than a glimmer of hope, he points us to a picture of brilliance, a brilliance that was foretold some 500 years prior to its manifestation “ The people who lived in darkness have seen a bright light. A light has risen for those who live in a land overshadowed by death." It is true that Matthew had a particular specific location in view, but the import of Jesus fitting that bill has universal impact. We shouldn’t be hard pressed to make the case that in a very real way our nation is blanketed by various forms of darkness. The nightly news casts do a fine job of describing this rock as a land overshadowed by death.
But in the midst of the darkness we here today can see a bright light and gaze upon the rising light, or I should say the risen light. Yes things are not as they ought to be but we have much to rejoice over, and by faith we can look forward to much more because of Christmas. Him who is the light has made it possible for us to be filled with light, so that we can be the torch bearers and the lighthouses in this nation. If it’s going to happen, it is up to me to make it happen. “I used to ask why doesn’t somebody do something about the darkness until one day I realized I was somebody.”
Mat 4:17 From then on, Jesus began to tell people, "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!" Because of Christmas we have been brought face to face with the Kingdom of God. That which was lost in Eden is now possible once more. To get there however we must each play our part. What must change in Jamaica? I must change! We can’t expect to impact the darkness if we are like the moon, merely reflecting the light of the sun, we must be the sun, self generating light, because we have first dealt with the darkness in the deepest recesses of our being. Those who desire a community of peace and unity must first find peace and unity with God, and then actively pursue it with others. Those who desire an end to the reprisals and the retaliations must first taste the forgiveness that Immanuel brings, and then dish it out lavishly to those who offend them.
I know it’s easier said than done. That’s why his name is Jesus, because he came to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves. He came to save us. There's a Spanish story of a father and son who couldn’t get along. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers. Do you have a paco in your life?
Someone has said: “ If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. Is there someone that you need to release from the prison of hate and anger in your heart this Christmas. Is there someone that you can go the extra mile for this Christmas? We cannot separate our Christmas carols from John 3: 16. God so loved that He gave… what are you willing to give so that the working environment at the OUR can be transformed in 2011?
What do you hold dearly that you are willing to relinquish so that Jamaica may under God increase in love fellowship and beauty? Jesus gave up his riches in glory, and humbled himself into flesh... as the carol says, ‘veiled in flesh, the God head see hail the incarnate deity.’ We don't need the experts on the weather news to determine the humidity in the air around us, but when last have you checked your humility levels?
How about intentionally being less selfish this Christmas. Maybe there’s a boy or girl you can help send back to school if you buy yourself a cheaper gift. We’ll never know how many angels made up the heavenly choir or how many wise men actually came, but we know this, we can decide here and now to join with the angels and the wise men and worship the King.
The wise men and women of today still travel from afar and go above and beyond to worship and serve the King of Kings. Let the change begin with me. So you work at the Office hopefully you do your job well and regulate what needs to be regulated, but what about your job at the ODR, Office of Darkness Regulation. You work there, it’s located at the intersection of Heart Street, Soul Avenue and Mind Lane. You are the keeper of the stream. If you fall asleep on duty the stream and pond will become polluted. This Christmas I sign up anew to fight the darkness and help transform Jamaica. What about you?
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men.
In 1847, Adolph Adam sought to echo
the angels and wrote about the soul finding it’s worth, once hopeless beings
experience the thrill of hope and the weary world rejoicing because a new and
glorious morning has broken. To those who are fatherless, especially those
whose fathers have been cut down by the gun, He is the everlasting Father.
To those who are distressed, confused, anxious, and misguided He is The
Counsellor. To the weak and defenseless, the downtrodden and the abused
He is The Mighty God. To those whose life is filled with war, to those who are
not at peace with themselves, to those whose families are facing the pain of
conflicts and segregation, He is the prince of peace.
As much as we sing the carols though, if we really stop to reflect on the
words, we get a sense of a deep disconnect between our hopes and dreams
and the realities of life upon this rock we call home. Several questions raise
themselves, clamouring for answers: When we look behind the zinc fences (if
we are brave enough to do so), do we see anything to smile about? Why
should we be so high on the totem pole of the corruption index?
Why are some people still having to live without the basic sanitary conveniences? Why
are productivity levels so low? Where is the joy to the world when there is no
money? Where do we locate hope in the midst of the prophets of doom and
destruction? How do we find the strength to tie our laces and get ready to
sprint ahead into the 2nd decade of the 21st century?
The Gospel writer, Matthew offers us more than a glimmer of hope, he points us to a picture of brilliance, a brilliance that was foretold some 500 years prior to its manifestation “ The people who lived in darkness have seen a bright light. A light has risen for those who live in a land overshadowed by death." It is true that Matthew had a particular specific location in view, but the import of Jesus fitting that bill has universal impact. We shouldn’t be hard pressed to make the case that in a very real way our nation is blanketed by various forms of darkness. The nightly news casts do a fine job of describing this rock as a land overshadowed by death.
But in the midst of the darkness we here today can see a bright light and gaze upon the rising light, or I should say the risen light. Yes things are not as they ought to be but we have much to rejoice over, and by faith we can look forward to much more because of Christmas. Him who is the light has made it possible for us to be filled with light, so that we can be the torch bearers and the lighthouses in this nation. If it’s going to happen, it is up to me to make it happen. “I used to ask why doesn’t somebody do something about the darkness until one day I realized I was somebody.”
Mat 4:17 From then on, Jesus began to tell people, "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!" Because of Christmas we have been brought face to face with the Kingdom of God. That which was lost in Eden is now possible once more. To get there however we must each play our part. What must change in Jamaica? I must change! We can’t expect to impact the darkness if we are like the moon, merely reflecting the light of the sun, we must be the sun, self generating light, because we have first dealt with the darkness in the deepest recesses of our being. Those who desire a community of peace and unity must first find peace and unity with God, and then actively pursue it with others. Those who desire an end to the reprisals and the retaliations must first taste the forgiveness that Immanuel brings, and then dish it out lavishly to those who offend them.
I know it’s easier said than done. That’s why his name is Jesus, because he came to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves. He came to save us. There's a Spanish story of a father and son who couldn’t get along. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers. Do you have a paco in your life?
Someone has said: “ If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior. Is there someone that you need to release from the prison of hate and anger in your heart this Christmas. Is there someone that you can go the extra mile for this Christmas? We cannot separate our Christmas carols from John 3: 16. God so loved that He gave… what are you willing to give so that the working environment at the OUR can be transformed in 2011?
What do you hold dearly that you are willing to relinquish so that Jamaica may under God increase in love fellowship and beauty? Jesus gave up his riches in glory, and humbled himself into flesh... as the carol says, ‘veiled in flesh, the God head see hail the incarnate deity.’ We don't need the experts on the weather news to determine the humidity in the air around us, but when last have you checked your humility levels?
How about intentionally being less selfish this Christmas. Maybe there’s a boy or girl you can help send back to school if you buy yourself a cheaper gift. We’ll never know how many angels made up the heavenly choir or how many wise men actually came, but we know this, we can decide here and now to join with the angels and the wise men and worship the King.
The wise men and women of today still travel from afar and go above and beyond to worship and serve the King of Kings. Let the change begin with me. So you work at the Office hopefully you do your job well and regulate what needs to be regulated, but what about your job at the ODR, Office of Darkness Regulation. You work there, it’s located at the intersection of Heart Street, Soul Avenue and Mind Lane. You are the keeper of the stream. If you fall asleep on duty the stream and pond will become polluted. This Christmas I sign up anew to fight the darkness and help transform Jamaica. What about you?
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