Into The Darkness

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shined.

Thou hast multiplied the nation,

thou hast increased its joy;

they rejoice before thee

as with joy at the harvest,

as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

For the yoke of his burden,

and the staff for his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor,

thou hast broken as on the day of Midian.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult

and every garment rolled in blood

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government will be upon his shoulder,

and his name will be called

"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,

to establish it, and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and for evermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:2–7 (RSV)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government will be upon his shoulder,

and his name will be called

"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

As sure as the sun rises in the east, a child is born each day. Indeed, this is said of thousands of new lives. It has been so for uncounted ages and will continue until it pleases the Lord to return. Nearly all who are born will live their lives known only to a relative few who love them.

If our world did not groan under sin and death, all who are born would know love. Many do not see their first day of life outside the womb. Far too many still do not celebrate their first birthday, while others live on, but are unloved, abused, and neglected. Each child is the Father's precious gift of new life. Sadly, our world is peopled with those who do not value any life beyond their own. We easily forget the harm sin does in our world, especially to those least able to stand for themselves. Jesus reminds us that if we fail to show love and mercy to the least among us, we fail to love Him.

Isaiah spoke rightly that we walk in a land, in a world of deep darkness. It is darkness fed by our sin and rebellion, left to continue unchallenged, would make of the universe a black hole so deep that not even hope could escape. This is the world in which we have chosen to dwell since our first parents chose themselves over God, who had created them.

If God were merely just, He would leave us to the darkness, groping around in a futile effort to find what we have thrown away through sin. St. John rightly teaches that we chose the darkness because our deeds are darkness. It is not pleasant to hear this. It is not how we would describe ourselves, yet in a world where one child is denied the life the Father has given them, how else can we speak of what we have chosen?

It is into this darkness, this sin ruined world, that the Father sends His Son. Jesus does not come as the all-conquering Lord, driving the minions of evil and sin before Him. He comes as a child born of Mary into a world where children do not see their first day in the light of God's day. He comes into a world where infants born do not celebrate their first birthday. He is born in a world that neglects, abuses, and will not love the precious gift of a child.

Jesus is born into the black hole of human sin to break its power over all creation. He comes as the Light of God to shine upon those who dwell in a land of deep darkness. He comes against the darkness which will seek to destroy Him and fail in the light of His resurrection.

O, Father, we bless Thee that Thou hast sent Thy Son into our chosen darkness to lead us into Thy Light which cannot be extinguished, shining unto the ages of ages. Amen.