No More Doom and Gloom!

Right now, the whole country seems to be laboring under a burden of doom and gloom.  Many citizens are extremely frustrated with our president's questionable decisions and with the stagnation of the U.S. Congress.  People are uncertain about our country's economy and its new health care laws.  Some people need jobs and adequate housing.  Many mourn the deaths of friends or family members or celebrities.  Even our favorite football teams suffer from lackluster performance.

I can sense the mounting depression that envelopes our nation.  Too many people have no hope.

Yet now, in early December, whether we like it or not, we are plunging into the Christmas season.  Worldly worries threaten to ruin the coming festivities.  Still, we have to shop, wrap gifts, decorate, bake, address cards, attend holiday programs and parties, make travel plans.  There is just too much to do, at a time when many people just don't feel like celebrating.

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah reminded the Israelites that, even in the midst of their turmoil, God was with them in the pillar of fire that lit their way:  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 

Those words in Isaiah 60 also foretold God's ultimate solution to humanity's overwhelming problem of sin.  Jesus, God's Son, who was born centuries later as a human baby, grew up to become the Light of the world.  (John 12: 8)  He lights the way for all people, just as the pillar of fire lit the way for the Israelites so many years before.  And we, his followers, reflect the light that comes from Jesus.  We can spread good news of hope to the world this Advent season.   No more doom and gloom, because Jesus, our Light, has come! 

Rise and Shine For Your Light Has Come 
Janet Bauer, 2011; Isaiah 60:1-4; John 8:12   

Rise and shine for your Light has come...

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, 
The glory of the Lord will rise;
And the glory of the Lord will be seen upon you.
Rise and shine for your Light has come...

And the nations will come to His light,
And the kings, to the brightness of His rising.
Lift up your eyes and see—
Rise and shine for your Light has come...

Oh, Jesus is the Light of the world;
Follow Him, and you will not walk in darkness,
But you will have the Light of life.
Rise and shine for your Light has come...

Rise and shine for your Light has come!


Click on the link below to hear this song:





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