Advent Hope

Sermon on Isaiah 9:2-7 prepared by Jonathan Shradar

Isaiah 9:1–7 “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

[2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. [3] You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. [4] For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. [5] For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (ESV)

The message of Christmas is … The world is a dark place, and yet the coming of Jesus shows us no one and nothing is hopeless.

The bell-ringers are outside of Wal-Mart. It is culturally acceptable to now put up your Christmas tree and decorations. We have sung two carols.

Welcome to Advent! First season of the church calendar, Four Sundays preceding Christmas. And if we do it right, sustained anticipation of Christ’s return to reign for eternity and fully and finally fulfill what the prophets promised so long ago.

It’s appropriately timed (in the Northern hemisphere) during the darkest time of year. When days are shorter. When everyone gets a sense of night, regardless of bedtime.

The darker it gets, the easier it is to see the light.

To gaze upward in the darkness of night, when the dark sky is at its strongest, then we see the light of the cosmos in all its brilliance and beauty.

Advent does the same thing for us. It is a time to reflect on that which is broken around us, the world in disarray running after that which leaves us only dissatisfied and still aching for that which only the light can provide.

This was the state of the people this promise of light first came to. Our text begins with the phrase “but there will be not gloom,” maybe better “Nevertheless.”

Isaiah 8:21–22 “They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. [22] And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.” (ESV)

This is their Advent, their waiting.

And upon them…The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

This light was the hope that would sustain a remnant for generations. This light dawned from his birth in a stable as the night sky was filled with brilliance and joy. This light is Jesus.

John 1:3–5 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (ESV)

The light who lived a perfectly obedient life in our place, gave himself as a ransom for us, and rose from the grave to give us new life. Having ascended to the Father’s side with the promise to return to dwell with us.

It is our hope in that arrival that brightens our hearts and gives us the confidence to bring hope wherever we are.

To say there is none too far from his grace. To make bigger tables for the feast. To welcome the stranger as Jesus has welcomed us.

Because that is the message of Christmas. The world is a dark place, and yet the coming of Jesus shows us no one and nothing is hopeless.

So we sing, and we remind each other of these things…

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)

As you recognize the dark, see Jesus, the light that has shone and the darkness has not overcome him. You are safe in him.

As you anticipate seeing the great light of his return, and celebrate Christmas, be a people of hope, seeing the potential of life with Christ wherever you go.

And remind each other of it!

By building wreaths together!