A person would need to be both blind and deaf to believe that all is well in our world today. Every day brings more tragic news that makes our world an even darker and more dangerous place to live. Sadly, many are trapped in despair and declare that there is no hope for our nation and world. To speak of the hope, peace, and joy of Christmas, seems to these people to be just a lot of whistling in the dark and wishful thinking. And so, it was also in the ancient days of Israel’s prophets.
Living during a time when God’s people were experiencing much deep darkness and despair, the prophet Isaiah is filled with revealed hope from God and prophetically described the time when this hope would become a reality. It seemed an impossible dream for many people then and remains so for many today.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. … 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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 forever. (Isa. 9:2,6-7).
And so, it was many years later, in our own nation’s time of darkness and despair during the Civil War that Henry Longfellow penned a song of hope that remains as relevant today as it was then.
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to man.
And in despair I bowed my head. “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
This is the Christmas message we need to joyously sing loudly and often, for our God is a God of hope, and being Christian we are to be messengers of that hope, singing “To us a Child of hope is born, to us a Son is giv’n. Him shall the tribes of earth obey, him all the hosts of heav’n.”
You and I are very blessed to be living in that hoped for “God with us” reality that the ancient prophets foresaw and proclaimed to their people as encouragement. Being Christian, our Christmas season activities and worship should be all about proclaiming the hope that Jesus gifted to us; proclaiming that God is in our midst now, giving us hope for every tomorrow and a hope that sees a future beyond the grave.
Christ’s gift of hope is a vision of possibility that encourages and moves us out of where we are. In times of trouble and despair, this hope provides a sense of a “way out” and sees a destiny that goes somewhere. This hope is like a magnet that draws and empowers us to a new way, to see things differently, and to see a future. This hope is the basic energy that gets us out of bed in the morning and shapes our activity for the day. It also helps us to sleep well at night.
Most importantly, in the same way that God is love, so is He hope. For God is the only provider of any authentic, endurable hope, because God is the single author of a lively hope. And Christmas is the annual proclamation that this God of hope is now in our midst. It is an annual “good news” proclamation to all people, and particularly to those living in darkness and despair.
The “good news” is that this hope for a Savior as expressed by the ancient and more recent prophets has become a reality. God has come to save us and give us hope. God became human and came down from heaven as Jesus into our world. At Christmas we thankfully celebrate His coming and joyously worship his Kingship in our midst.
Yes, we still live in a very dark and dangerous “Satan-controlled” world of evil, but thankfully the light and truth of Christ shines into the darkness as we let Him be born in us and his light shine through us in both words and deeds.
So go, singing and showing to all that Jesus is here, that hope is alive and real. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heav’n and nature sing.”
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – December 15, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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