By ED BUFFALOW
Writer.

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

Isaiah 9:1-7

² The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
    a light will shine.
³ You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
    and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest
    and like warriors dividing the plunder.
⁴ For you will break the yoke of their slavery
    and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
    just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
⁵ The boots of the warrior
    and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
    They will be fuel for the fire.

⁶ For a child is born to us,
     a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
    for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will make this happen!

Prayer

Dear God,
We lament in the deep darkness:  headlines shouting of wars, innocent people dying, suffering, being displaced, acts of racism, political polarization, people unhoused and without jobs.

You gave us Your Son in another dark time:

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcom it.

John 1:4-5

Even in this present darkness, you can break the yoke of slavery and lift the heavy burden:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

We praise your passionate commitment and,

With hope and eager expectation, look forward to the Prince of Peace completely ushering in His kingdom of fairness and justice.

Amen.