2021: A Year in Review
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2021 Advent Guide: Christmas Day

Rachel Baker, Communications Director · December 21, 2021 · 2 Comments

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.


Darkness. Isaiah speaks of people walking and living in a deep darkness. We have all been in this darkness at some point in the last year and a half. Whether it is a physical, mental, or spiritual darkness, we have all experienced it during this pandemic. We are exhausted, we are ready to be free of this virus and go back to our normal lives, or what we hope to call “normal.” Many have already tried to move in this direction despite the virus taking lives every day in our nation. We are all ready to see an end to this long, dark tunnel, hoping there is something more promising on the other side.

In this scripture, Isaiah shares good news with us. For Christians, Isaiah’s word foreshadows the day when Jesus is born, Son of God, the light that shines in the darkness. He is born and with his birth comes hope and peace. He is the light at the end of the tunnel and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We know that there is darkness throughout our lives, but through faith, we can be led out of this darkness and into the light. Jesus brings us hope when we feel lost, comfort when we feel grief, love when we feel contempt, and peace when we feel pain. This Christmas day, we look to the light and strive to live as instruments of hope and peace in this world for ourselves and for others.

While Christmas can be a joyful occasion, it can also be a time of grief and loneliness. This Christmas will be harder for some of us because of the loved ones we lost to COVID. We have experienced shared grief and trauma in this season. Yet, Christmas reminds us that “God is with us” even during such times. Christmas can also be a time where many are districted by consumerism and gifts that cause us to forget what this day is all about. It can also be a time of great peace and spirituality. As we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, we must also reflect on what is to come after the gifts have been opened and the trees have been taken down. We must ask ourselves the question: how can be instruments of hope and peace in our world from this day forward?

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Scripture

About Rachel Baker, Communications Director

Rachel was born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and minor in General Business. She has been engaged in immigration advocacy through her immersion in a church plant started by her father and another pastor that was multicultural and bilingual. She was actively involved in the ministries of the congregation, a church that worked directly with first generation immigrant families as part of their focus and outreach. She is excited to start working to build the NC Sanctuary Coalition for the Council of Churches. In her free time, Rachel loves all things outdoors, including hiking with her dogs, exploring new trails, and playing sports. She also enjoys playing her ukulele, cooking, and traveling.

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Comments

  1. Arlene Spehar says

    December 21, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    Rachel, that was a beautiful column you wrote. Thankyou, it was well written. Good news that Jesus is the reason for the season!

    Reply
  2. Wanny Hogewood says

    December 21, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    Thank you Rachel. This lifted my spirits on a dark afternoon. “It is well with my soul.”
    Wanny Hogewood
    St John’s Baptist,
    Charlotte
    Merry Christmas

    Reply

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