December 3, 2025
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” – Isaiah 9:2
One of my children was telling me a story recently about a field trip they took to some of the caves here in Colorado. At one point in the tour, they turn the lights off. For that brief moment, there is absolute darkness. This was a scary experience, and they were incredibly relieved when those lights finally came back on. This is something we hardly ever experience in life. First of all, most of us live regularly with at least some type of artificial light around us at all times. But even far from the city, on the darkest, cloudiest nights, there is at least some slight glow of light from the sky above. However, down there, under the ground, there is only complete darkness.
The Bible is not shy about the fact that life can get pretty dark sometimes. This world is often a scary place to live. However, one theme we see over and over again is that, when God’s people are surrounded by darkness, he steps in. This happens in the very beginning when Adam and Eve sin. They are afraid and hiding. What does God do? He searches them out, clothes them, and gives them a second chance, even though they don’t deserve it. Throughout the Old Testament we see God’s people in danger from surrounding nations and in trouble because of their own sin. What does God do? He steps in to rescue them. We see this truth most perfectly in the announcement of the coming Messiah of Isaiah chapter 9. The truth is, this land is a land of darkness. But do not fear! In Jesus Christ, we have a glorious light shining in that darkness. Whether we are living in the darkness of our own sin, or the darkness caused by the sin of those around us, he is the beacon of hope and the light of salvation!
Heavenly Father, thank You for shining the light of Jesus into the dark caverns of this sinful world! Thank You for stepping into the darkness. Let us run toward that light so we can live in the glory of Your salvation.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon