Have you ever walked in
the dark? Most of the time, even in the middle of the night when we get up and
walk into another room, we can see a little bit because we have a nightlight or
a flashlight. If you are like me, you need that because you do not want to step
on your dog.
A few years ago, I was
on a mission trip to Ecuador. It is a small nation in South America and the
equator runs through it. That’s why it’s called Ecuador. Our group went to a
church service in a remote village. The church looked like a picnic pavilion.
It had a concrete floor and a roof, but no solid walls. It did not have
electricity. When we arrived, it was daylight, but soon became dark. Someone
distributed candles so we could see. When we left, we had to use the
flashlights on our phones to see where we were walking.
I mention that moment
in my life because in our reading today (Isa 9:1-4), we heard, “The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a
land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” Isaiah was talking
about the people of Israel. In Egypt, they were under the darkness of slavery.
They did not remember or never knew God. Then God sent Moses to them, and
through Moses, God brought his people into the light of freedom.
His words also told
everyone what Jesus Christ would do for all people, including us. Before we
were baptized into Christ Jesus, we were people living under the darkness of
sin. Before the grace of Christ touched our lives, all we knew was self, sin
and Satan. Now, like the people of Israel, we are freed from the darkness of
that slavery, and live together as brothers and sisters of the Lord. With that,
let us pray.
Heavenly Father, from
whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless all children, and give
their fathers and mothers the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in
which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of
their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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