Adam's podcast

Dec. 28, 2008 – Series: “What’s in a Name?” - Light - Isaiah 9:2; Matt. 4:13-17; Luke 2:25-32; John 1:9

And although most of us are not clinical, we all to some level possess a fear of the darkness – it’s part of being human. By nature, there’s something unsettling about the darkness. We avoid it, we fear it, we run from it. For the darkness hides all kinds of unknown evil and dangers. We are more likely to accidentally get hurt in the darkness. We are more likely to be hurt by someone or something of ill will shrouded in the darkness. Darkness can feel isolating and empty, leaving us to feel utterly alone. Darkness can make us forget that there will ever be light again. Darkness can steal our hope.

The Christmas story - which we just celebrated – is a story that began in darkness. Though beginning in darkness it is a story ends in light.

For as Matthew 4:16 makes clear, we see in the Christmas story the prophecy of Is. 9:2 fulfilled: "the people living in darkness / have seen a great light; / on those living in the land of the shadow of death / a light has dawned."