BLACK FRIDAY

AND FOGGY DAYS

This last weekend the nation experienced what they call “Black Friday.”  There were crowds everywhere, long lines and people pushing and shoving to get the best gift for loved ones.

And then I think of the fog that rolled in our valley this morning.  As we drove, the cars ahead were just pinpricks of light in the murky darkness.   But later in the day the sun did shine again and drove away the darkness.

As I ponder on these things today, I think of the world, our nation, our town and people rushing madly about, lost in the darkness of this world and in the fog of despair, hopelessness, fear, anxiety and not knowing what tomorrow will bring.  And for many of these people every day is “black.”  There is not a ray of light in their darkness, and many rushing about in this Christmas season don’t even realize that Jesus has come, and that He is their only hope and salvation.  Oh, they may hear the carols sung, even may attend church at Christmas, but their hearts are blinded to the truth of Christ’s first Advent, and not aware that we are standing on the brink of His Second Advent.

But listen, my friends, as you rush madly through this season, stop for a moment and know that the “Light” has come!  That baby in the nativity scenes that you see, and I see many such scenes in the Christmas decoration section of the shops.  That baby was God’s Light sent into a dark world full of sin and despair.  This “Light,” the Lord Jesus came to set the captives free, to bring light into our darkest of days, whether it is Friday, Tuesday, or Thursday or whatever day it may be.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come!  And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people, but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you” Isaiah 60:1-2”

As we look at this verse, it speaks to all of us in our darkest of days, days lost in sin, days of pain, sorrow and fear and our guilt, and in all our struggles.   The Word says your “Light has come!”

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 8:12.

He tells us to arise up and behold the glory of the LORD!  See that baby in the manger, the LORD has come!  Listen to the carols as they proclaim His birth, feel the joy of His coming and know He came to save you and me and anyone who will call on His name.  As Mary held that precious baby and looked into His face, how could she know that someday, that precious Son, would die on a cross for a lost and dying world?

 He was literally born to die on that cross, to save a dark world and bring many into His Kingdom of Light, our Heavenly home.  He came that men would serve Him here, proclaim the Gospel of Salvation to a dying world.  Oh, that men would praise the Lord and worship Him!

Yes, darkness covers the earth, and its people are in deep darkness of sin and despair.  We see the darkness as we watch the news and we see violence everywhere.  It seems that evil prevails, but “The Hope of nations has come, and the Lord will arise in all His glory!  Praise the Lord!

As I look out my window at this moment, the day is foggy and very cold.  It is dark outside, even at this afternoon hour.  And I think of those who are walking each day in their lives in the fog of their grief and sorrow.  It seems that the fog comes during this season of the year, which only adds to the sorrow of some out there.  Maybe this past year you lost a dear loved one, a spouse maybe.  And your eyes are foggy with tears, your days are dark with sorrow.  Christmas can be the hardest time of the year for some, as there are so many memories.  There are memories of past holiday seasons with loved ones around the table, and joy in the home.  Oh, so many memories! 

But look there ahead in the fog.  See that pinprick of light?  There is Jesus coming to you in the midst of your “fog” to bring you comfort and peace.  Oh, He brings such joy!  Run to Him and let Him bring His light to your foggy day.  Give Him your sorrow and your pain, and you will feel the fog lift and the sun will shine again!

Oh, we all will have our “Black Fridays” and “Foggy” days, but Praise the Lord, we have hope in this world and in this beautiful season.  This season is all about Him, all about His coming, all about His coming again.  And we believe that His coming is very soon, so we must be ready to meet Him at any moment.  Are you ready?  Have you knelt at the Cross of Christ and asked Him to forgive your sins?  He is waiting for You to come.  Give Him your dark days and let Him bring His light into your heart.  May Jesus Christ be praised!

Have a Blessed Season,

Pastor Sharon