Today’s Verse

Isaiah 9:2

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (NIV)

G.K. Chesterton wrote, “Christ is not merely a summer sun of the prosperous but a winter fire for the unfortunate.” I agree and would add that Jesus is for all seasons. He is in the growing, pruning, fruitful, and fallow seasons. To Chesterton’s point, Jesus provides deep blessings to all in the brightest and darkest times.

When I think of a winter fire, I think of three distinct places: Cracker Barrel restaurants, where I played checkers against my dad and brother on road trips; my grandparent's house, which had a large fireplace I’d sit by after playing in the snow-covered hills and creeks of their property as a boy; and at my parent's house, where I sat with my new bride, knocking off the chill of winter and catching up on life as a man. In each of these memories, I feel warmth. For my money, there is no higher quality warmth than that of a well-stocked fireplace. Electric heat suffices; gas heat is better, but fireplace heat is warmth with ambiance. The sight, sounds, smells, and heat combine to provide an almost existential experience.

Jesus is like fireplace heat. He is supreme, offering all we need and more. He isn’t a product; He’s a person of infinite quality and value. He isn’t up for election, He is King. He isn’t trending on socials, He is the Beginning and the End. He’s not trying out for anything, He isn’t interviewing for a job, and He isn’t floundering in obscurity, hoping to be discovered. He is perfectly poised to return upon His Father’s command and right every wrong that has ever been suffered. He is hope to the hopeless and all we need for life.

The hope Isaiah proclaimed to a wayward people thousands of years ago remains the same: He is a light for all, the prosperous, the less fortunate, and everyone in between. As we begin this message series and the Christmas season, let’s remember all that Jesus is and live this month in celebratory reflection, being warmed by God’s love as embodied in Jesus.

REFLECTION

Take a few moments to reflect on how Jesus has brought light and warmth to your life.