Let the Australian have their Christmas BBQ on a beach. Christmas works best in darkness. Darkness was the setting of the first Christmas. The angels appeared to the shepherds at night. The wise men saw the star in the night sky. Darkness is the right setting for Christmas. Not just because of angels and stars nor even because of lights and decorations. Darkness is the right setting for Christmas because of what Jesus came to do.
One of my favourite times of the day is early morning watching the sun break through the darkness of the night. When it does I find myself quoting the words of the old Testament prophet Isaiah
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. To those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2)
Jesus came as light to a dark world. He is the only one who has engulfed the shadow of death. Christmas is the light in the winter darkness of our world. Without Jesus we walk in darkness and live under the shadow of death.
Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of my life spent with You
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
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