211 The Kings of Christmas: Arise! Shine!

Our world is a messy, broken place filled with messy, broken people. But if the birth of Jesus tells us anything, it tells us that God is not afraid of a mess.

Born in a stable, wrapped in rags, and laid in a feeding trough, the Son of God began His life in a mess. Later, His life ended in a mess, wrapped in rags and nailed to a cross. In between, He mostly hung out with pretty messed up people, and it didn’t bother Him one bit! He just kept on loving them, teaching them, and showing them a better way.

When He went to the cross, Jesus willingly took all of our messiness – our sin, our junk, our mess – and paid the penalty for it.   

And He will enter into your life – no matter how messed up it is – if you’ll only ask Him. In fact, nothing would give Him greater joy than to hear you say, “Lord, I know I’m messed up.  Please come into my life.  Forgive me and help me.  Fix my brokenness and heal my messiness.” 

That decision will change your life.

The Bible uses a metaphor to describe this change. It’s that of light coming into the darkness.

In foretelling the coming of the Savior, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… for unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given…and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:2, 6)

The darkness he talks about isn’t a literal night, it is a darkness that covers the soul. But the Good News of Christmas is that the darkness doesn’t have the last word. A light has dawned and His name is Jesus. For those who open their hearts to Him, the light of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness will rise in your heart and never stop shining. 

The light has come! That’s good news! But what do we do with that?

The same prophet, Isaiah, gave this counsel, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” (Is. 60:1) Have you received the light of Jesus? Then shine that light to the world around you! As one whose messiness has been cleaned up, arise! Shine! Spread the news! Share the hope! 

Isaiah 58 tells us that to shine your light is to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke.  It’s to share your food with the hungry and clothe the naked.  And if we do, then God’s blessing, provision, and deliverance will appear in our own lives. 

So, arise, shine, for your light has come!

Text: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 60:1-3; 58 

Originally recorded on December 24, 2006, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN