Advent Series 7: Joy Forevermore

Light the Advent Candle four,

Think of Joy forever more,

Christ child in a stable born

Gift of love that Christmas morn.

Have you ever watched the sunrise? Not just the sunrise, but the skies turn from darkest night to early morn? I have, only once – I’m not usually up that early. My husband and I were driving to California for Christmas a few years back. We had left in the early evening the day before to try to out run a storm moving in. We made it, but were up all night. Or, I should say, my husband was up all night, I slept a bit. But in the early hours of the morning I was awake with him as we drove through Utah and Nevada and watched the skies begin to lighten.

It was beautiful. I’m not sure I can fully describe it, but the beauty of that morning was alive and vivid and fresh. It was like being let in on a secret. It was joyful. I will fully admit that I didn’t realize the joy of what I witnessed until later since I was so tired. But every time I think about that trip, I always come back to that morning. If you have driven on I-15 through Utah, Nevada, and into California, you know that it isn’t the most scenic and pretty drive. There’s nothing really majestic about the desert spaces and the constant brown of the landscape. But, there was beauty there when the sun began to illuminate the plain brown landscape. All the world was new and fresh.

Now imagine that you have been living in the darkness, in the night for a long time and there hasn’t been any light at all. Then you hear rumors about it. The light is coming, it will be here. The source is reputable; you have no reason to doubt, so you hope. This is what Isaiah was writing about in 9:2-7:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

You 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.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders, the rode of their oppressors.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

To unto 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.

Of 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.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The things that use to be necessary for life: warrior’s boot, war garments, etc, are no longer needed. They can be thrown away. The light has come! Everything is different now, everything looks different, and everyone will behave differently. This new time isn’t going to end, it will endure forever. It’s a new era. When Christ came, lived, died, and rose from the grave, he brought with him this new light. Things aren’t ever going to be the same. Therefore, let us rejoice and worship our God and King!

But remember, Advent isn’t just about Christ first coming as a baby in a manger. We also celebrate and look forward to his second coming, when he comes and establishes his kingdom forevermore. The light has dawned, and is getting brighter and brighter, but it is hardly high noon yet. When we put our trust and faith in Christ, and entered into salvation, we became new creatures. The old was washed away because it wasn’t needed anymore. We entered into a newness of life with our Creator and are privileged to call him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!

Today, on this fourth Sunday of Advent, let us shed the old and embrace the new, let us increase our joy at the knowledge of our King and Savior. The king has come, and is coming again. When he returns, all shall be made new again! We will be restored, refreshed and completely redeemed. Christmas is a time of great joy because we remember what God has done, and is continuing to do. Amen and Amen.