Isaiah 9:2 / Matthew 4:16 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; and those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Why is this? Isaiah 9:6 For to 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 counsellor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.”

Isaiah 7:14 The son will be called Emmanuel

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and darkness has not overcome it.

Colossians 1:13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves.

Analogy 1: Sin brought shame into a perfect world God had created (Genesis 1-2 versus Genesis 3), and shalom was lost. (**There is a deep cry for shalom in a dark invested world**).

Analogy 2: Jesus came to reconcile us into the kingdom of light. He rescues us and darkness/sin now has no power over us (**He counsels us, leads us forever as a father to his children and gives us peace – Emmanuel, God with us).

Analogy 3: Darkness = Despair = Fear = Hopelessness = Cry (**The kingdom of darkness has a ruler**)

John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Psalm 18:28 You, LORD keep my lamp burning, my God turs my darkness into light.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.

God wants us to walk in the light:

Hebrews 9:27 – 28 – For the first time he came to take away the sins of many through His sacrifice; but for the second time he will not come to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

Good News of Great Joy for all: “Do not be afraid for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the LORD – Luke 2:10-11.

Giving God the best: “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed, on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (***Open your hearts for him Revelation 3:20)

**They opened their treasures for they saw he was no ordinary child, Just like Moses’ parents in Hebrews 11. Through him [Good news had come, great joy for all people, peace to those his favour rests upon, and glory to God in the highest] (Luke 2:10,14), and salvation from sin (Matthew 1:21)

By Chaplain Stephen Kinuthia