Finding True Hope and Light in Christmas
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound promise of hope and redemption found in Isaiah 9, a passage that speaks to the coming of Jesus Christ, the true light in our darkness. As we enter the Christmas season, it's easy to get swept up in the nostalgia and commercialism that often accompany this time of year. However, we are reminded that the true essence of Christmas is not found in worldly celebrations or material gifts, but in the fulfillment of God's promise through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 9 paints a picture of a world in darkness that has seen a great light, a light that brings joy, peace, and justice. This light is Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. His coming signifies the breaking of oppressive yokes and the establishment of a kingdom that will never end. In a world filled with false hopes and misplaced trust, we are called to realign our focus on the true hope that is found in Christ alone.
The story of The Wizard of Oz serves as a metaphor for the false hopes we often place in worldly things. Just as Dorothy and her friends discovered that the Wizard was not the all-powerful being they believed him to be, we too must recognize that worldly governments, philosophies, and religions cannot fulfill our deepest longings. Instead, we are invited to place our trust in the one true God, who offers salvation and eternal hope.
As we celebrate this season, let us embrace the joy and nostalgia of Christmas, but also take time to reflect on the true meaning of this time. Let us ensure that our hope is anchored in the promises of God, and not in the fleeting illusions of this world. May we be reminded that Jesus is the light that dispels darkness, the hope that sustains us, and the Savior who redeems us.
Key Takeaways:
- The True Light of Christmas: The essence of Christmas is found in the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus Christ, the light that dispels darkness and brings hope to a weary world. This season invites us to realign our focus on the true hope found in Christ. [46:35]
- False Hopes and Misplaced Trust: Like the characters in The Wizard of Oz, we often place our trust in worldly things that cannot fulfill our deepest longings. We are reminded to place our trust in God, who offers true salvation and hope. [51:12]
- The Promise of Isaiah 9: Isaiah 9 speaks of a world in darkness that has seen a great light, Jesus Christ. His coming signifies the breaking of oppressive yokes and the establishment of an everlasting kingdom of peace and justice. [01:05:17]
- The Illusion of Worldly Solutions: Worldly governments, philosophies, and religions often promise solutions but fail to deliver true hope. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting in His eternal promises. [01:09:24]
- Celebrating with True Hope: As we celebrate Christmas, let us embrace the joy and nostalgia, but also reflect on the true meaning of this season. May our hope be anchored in the promises of God, ensuring that our focus remains on the Savior who redeems us. [01:16:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:50] - Confession of Faith
- [32:53] - Prayer of Gratitude
- [45:10] - Introduction to Isaiah 9
- [46:35] - The Light in Darkness
- [47:45] - Christmas and Cultural Nostalgia
- [49:04] - The Wizard of Oz Metaphor
- [51:12] - False Hopes in Worldly Things
- [53:03] - The Illusion of Christmas
- [54:51] - Cultural Shift from True Christmas
- [57:38] - The Darkness Remains
- [59:07] - Understanding Isaiah's Prophecy
- [01:02:48] - Trust in God, Not Alliances
- [01:05:17] - God's Promise of Restoration
- [01:07:06] - False Promises of Worldly Governments
- [01:09:24] - Seeking the Kingdom of God
- [01:11:12] - The Simplicity of the Gospel
- [01:12:45] - Trust in the Everlasting Father
- [01:14:12] - The Hope in Isaiah 9
- [01:16:25] - Aligning Our Hope with Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:1-7
Observation Questions:
1. What are the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His role? [46:35]
2. How does the sermon describe the cultural shift away from the true meaning of Christmas? [54:51]
3. What metaphor from "The Wizard of Oz" is used in the sermon to illustrate false hopes? [51:12]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the false hopes people place their trust in during the Christmas season? [53:03]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" challenge the false hopes offered by worldly governments? [01:07:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that cultural nostalgia can distract from the true meaning of Christmas? [53:03]
3. How does the sermon interpret the prophecy in Isaiah 9 as a message of hope for those in darkness? [01:05:17]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of Jesus as the "Wonderful Counselor" in guiding believers away from worldly philosophies? [01:11:12]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own Christmas traditions. Are there any that might distract you from focusing on the true meaning of the season? How can you realign them to reflect the hope found in Christ? [53:03]
2. Consider the false hopes you might be placing in worldly solutions. How can you shift your trust to the promises of God as described in Isaiah 9? [01:09:24]
3. The sermon uses "The Wizard of Oz" as a metaphor for false hopes. Can you identify any "wizards" in your life that you might be relying on instead of God? [51:12]
4. How can you actively seek the "light" of Jesus in your daily life, especially during times of darkness or uncertainty? [01:05:17]
5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your celebration of Christmas is centered on the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus? [54:51]
6. How can you use this Christmas season to share the message of hope and redemption found in Isaiah 9 with others? [01:16:25]
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you need the guidance of the "Wonderful Counselor." How can you seek His wisdom this week? [01:11:12]
Devotional
Day 1: The Light of Christ in Our Darkness
In the midst of the Christmas season, it is easy to become distracted by the nostalgia and commercialism that often accompany this time of year. However, the true essence of Christmas is found in the fulfillment of God's promise through the birth of Jesus Christ, the light that dispels darkness and brings hope to a weary world. Isaiah 9 paints a vivid picture of a world in darkness that has seen a great light, a light that brings joy, peace, and justice. This light is Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. His coming signifies the breaking of oppressive yokes and the establishment of a kingdom that will never end. As we celebrate this season, let us realign our focus on the true hope found in Christ. [46:35]
Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel surrounded by darkness? How can you invite the light of Christ to shine into those areas today?
Day 2: Recognizing False Hopes
The story of The Wizard of Oz serves as a metaphor for the false hopes we often place in worldly things. Just as Dorothy and her friends discovered that the Wizard was not the all-powerful being they believed him to be, we too must recognize that worldly governments, philosophies, and religions cannot fulfill our deepest longings. In a world filled with false hopes and misplaced trust, we are reminded to place our trust in God, who offers true salvation and hope. This season invites us to examine where we have placed our trust and to realign our focus on the one true God. [51:12]
Jeremiah 17:5-7 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.'"
Reflection: What are some worldly things you have placed your trust in? How can you begin to shift your trust back to God today?
Day 3: The Promise of Isaiah 9
Isaiah 9 speaks of a world in darkness that has seen a great light, Jesus Christ. His coming signifies the breaking of oppressive yokes and the establishment of an everlasting kingdom of peace and justice. In a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, the promise of Isaiah 9 offers hope and assurance that God's kingdom will prevail. This passage invites us to reflect on the significance of Christ's coming and the hope it brings to our lives. As we meditate on this promise, let us be reminded of the peace and justice that Christ's kingdom brings. [01:05:17]
Micah 4:3-4 (ESV): "He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken."
Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's everlasting kingdom of peace and justice impact your perspective on current world events? How can you be a vessel of His peace and justice in your community?
Day 4: The Illusion of Worldly Solutions
Worldly governments, philosophies, and religions often promise solutions but fail to deliver true hope. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting in His eternal promises. In a world that often looks to temporary solutions for lasting problems, we are reminded that true hope and salvation are found in Christ alone. This season invites us to examine where we have sought solutions outside of God's kingdom and to realign our focus on His eternal promises. [01:09:24]
Psalm 146:3-5 (ESV): "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you sought worldly solutions? How can you begin to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness in those areas today?
Day 5: Celebrating with True Hope
As we celebrate Christmas, let us embrace the joy and nostalgia, but also take time to reflect on the true meaning of this season. The essence of Christmas is found in the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus Christ, the light that dispels darkness and brings hope to a weary world. May our hope be anchored in the promises of God, ensuring that our focus remains on the Savior who redeems us. This season invites us to celebrate with true hope, reflecting on the significance of Christ's coming and the hope it brings to our lives. [01:16:25]
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Reflection: How can you intentionally celebrate this Christmas season with a focus on the true hope found in Christ? What traditions or practices can you incorporate to keep your focus on the Savior?
Quotes
Let us pray together. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude and awe, knowing that you alone are God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, perfect in unity, boundless in love, and unshakable in faithfulness. From the very beginning, you promised to rescue us, and through the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, you fulfilled that promise. What a mystery, Lord, that the eternal King of glory would take on flesh to bring peace to a broken world and light to our dark hearts. [00:31:21] (35 seconds)
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast and his prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish and to establish his kingdom. He will sustain it with justice and righteousness for now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. And this is the word of the Lord. [00:46:41] (33 seconds)
What kind of false hopes do you place your heart in? What do you look to and place as a false hope? In your life. You know, Christmas actually can be that opportunity where we begin to place our hopes in the wrong things. Now, I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year. [00:52:20] (21 seconds)
Christmas can be that time of year where we recognize this misplaced hope, and this is what I mean by that. We need to be mindful about how we celebrate this season, how we celebrate Christmas, because it can be a false hope. It can even be kind of an illusion. What I mean is for the next four weeks, we're going to experience a great time of year full of nostalgia, marketing, advertising, the idea of an altruistic, perfect world, but here's the reality. When the lights come down and the tree is discarded and the marketing shifts to Valentine's Day, and the gifts gather dust, right? [00:56:46] (38 seconds)
Christmas can be like, a palliative therapy. It just covers up the symptoms. It covers up the problems. The light we long for is a fountain and a tree adorned with ornaments. The true light that we're seeking is Jesus on the tree, the one who shed his blood. He is the one who gives us lasting hope, and we know this, yet we can get our eyes off of that prize. We can get our eyes focused on the wrong things. [00:57:50] (28 seconds)
Christmas is a time of year for God's people. Here's the deal. When you're thinking about, what is Christmas? What am I supposed to do that Christmas? Celebrate. Dive into nostalgia. I get it. Enjoy it. Embrace it, right? But at the same time, Christmas is that time of year for God's people to realign their hope with the true promises of God. [00:58:18] (21 seconds)
Anytime we're in a dark hour, God, his plan is always to restore us and to carry us through these dark moments in our lives. And so we see this going on in Isaiah chapter nine, that he says, nevertheless, I'm going to give you a hope, a hope, to sustain. [01:04:58] (19 seconds)
The world likes to set us up for false hopes. And we have to be very, very careful how we look at government. We look at government as the answer to the to everything that is wrong in the world. We're going to walk away very disappointed. You can't go through any time period in history to find where a government has solved all the problems and ills of the world. In fact, probably just the opposite. They're the necessary evil in a lot of ways. So we have to be very, very careful. And that's what he says. He says that the government will be on his shoulder. In other words, there is no government who can solve all the problems, so we need to put the government on the shoulders of this one. And he will shoulder the burden that the governments can't do on their own. [01:09:23] (45 seconds)
Kings and princesses and presidents and prime ministers, they can't solve it. But if you seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, you will be provided for it. All these things will be provided unto you. That is where we seek our hope. That is where we put our trust in. That is the true hope. [01:09:36] (21 seconds)
Trust in the everlasting father. Who is the everlasting father? He is the one true God who created all things, is sovereign over all things. He holds all things together. That's what we trust in. But this is what Exodus 23, 20 verses three through four says, do not have other gods beside me. That was one of the big pitfalls of the people of Israel. They were, always going to other gods. [01:12:45] (26 seconds)
If you're trusting in the things of this world, you're misaligned. But if you put your hope and your trust in Christ, no matter the circumstances, he will always come through. He will always be your light. He will always shine in your life. Why? Because Jesus is the real, true hope for us. Even today, even today, he is our hope. Let's go ahead and pray. [01:16:25] (28 seconds)
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