From darkness to light

The prophet Isaiah reports that the chosen people of Israel will be taken away into captivity. The captivity was more than darkness, it was a feeling of abandonment in loneliness and in a strange place. But Isaiah also promised on behalf of God that God himself would come and change the fate of people.

In the days of the Old Testament, the people awaited the Messiah. They believed he would deliver them from the bleak captivity of darkness.

About seven hundred years later the time had come. The Immanuel promised by Isaiah, "God with us", was born in Bethlehem. Some Jews hoped that Jesus would deliver the people from the hands of the Romans, who occupied the promised land and kept it under strict hand.

During that night shepherds tended their sheep in the field. They watched over the herd, protecting them from wild animals and protecting them from thieves. They were men who did their job in full darkness even at night. Despite their responsible work, the shepherds were considered outsiders to society.

Suddenly a bright light shone around her and an angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds. The shine of light was so strong that the shepherds were stunned and frightened by a great fear. The angel comforted her with the words: «Do not be afraid! See, I tell you of great joy that will befall all people; for to you today the Savior is born, who is the Lord Christ, in the city of David. And that is a sign: you will find the child wrapped in diapers and lying in a manger »(Luke 2,10-12).

The angel messenger, and with him a large group of angels, praised God and gave him honor. After they had gone away, the shepherds immediately set off in a hurry. They found the child, Mary and Joseph, just as the angel had promised them. When they had seen and experienced it all, they enthusiastically told all their acquaintances about it, and praised and praised God for everything that was said to them about this child.

This story touches me and I am aware that, like the shepherds, I was a marginalized person. Born a sinner and exceedingly glad that Jesus the Savior was born. Not only this, but through his death, his resurrection and through his life, I am allowed to participate in his life. I passed through with him from the darkness of death to the bright light of life.

You too, dear reader, can, once you have experienced this, live with Jesus in bright light and praise and praise him. The good thing is to do this with a crowd of believers and to share the good news with others.

Toni Püntener