The prophet Isaiah foretold in the Old Testament the birth of the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, an event we celebrate tomorrow. Then as now, the world was in turmoil with peace as elusive as ever. Man’s only hope lies with the coming of the Savior and here is how Isaiah prophesied the Savior’s coming in Isaiah 9 2-7:
2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3You 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.
4For 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.
5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6For 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.
7Of 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.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
In his homily last Christmas, Pope Francis talked about this light and its meaning to us: “It moves us because it states the deep reality of what we are: a people who walk, and all around us – and within us as well – there is darkness and light.
“In this night, as the spirit of darkness enfolds the world, there takes place anew the event which always amazes and surprises us: the people who walk see a great light. A light which makes us reflect on this mystery: the mystery of walking and seeing.
“In our personal history too, there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. If we love God and our brothers and sisters, we walk in the light; but if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us.”
Pope Francis captured the spiritual meaning of Christmas well. Christmas simply means we have been given the opportunity to walk in the light with the birth of our Savior. We may accept this gift, this opportunity or we may choose to stay in darkness.
But what joy it is to not just to walk in the light, but welcome the source of that light, the Son of God who came to earth, became human like us on Christmas Day so that our joy may be complete for those who believe in Him.
Those were troubled days when Isaiah prophesied the Savior’s birth, pretty much as our days are today. Darkness seems to overcome light as war, famine, selfishness among nations and men overcome lives.
The difference is simply this: we now have a choice to follow the Light and lead people to follow the Light as well. We have it in our power to bring peace in our land simply because that first Christmas happened… because tonight, a Child was born.
The people in Isaiah’s time could only hope to see the promise of the Savior’s birth happen. We are more blessed. Not only do the people of God today have the Light, but they are also able to “shatter the yoke that burdens them… the rod of their oppressor.”
Because Christ was born, they can now see what evil does to them. They also now have the power to renounce evil, the source of oppression in their lives. They now have the wisdom and the power to reject evil and embrace the Light.
This Christmas, let us choose to follow the Light and banish darkness forever from our lives and from our troubled land.
From across the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles, a very Holy and Merry Christmas to all our readers!
Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco