Shout of Acclamation!

From the Fall of Man, in the Garden of Eden, when mankind was put out of the presence of God, mankind was in darkness. 

But adding his voice to all the other prophets that had lived and prophesied, since the beginning, Isaiah prophesied that it would not be forever.  While death and sin had been introduced into the world, it was not to be permanent.

Isaiah was a prophet during a time when Israel was not so righteous.  So naturally a lot of his messages have to do with the dismal future Israel faced because of its disobedience.  Scattering and affliction were a common theme in Isaiah's writings.  But part of his mission was to also prophesy to future generations so deliverance was also a common theme in Isaiah's writings. Part of his mission was to prophesy of the time when God would fulfill His covenants that He had made to Israel.

And so Isaiah gave us one of my favorite passages of deliverance.  He spoke of the reason Israel would not have to remain in darkness forever.  But not only deliverance from their earthly affliction and sorrow, but from death and hell as well.

"The people that walk in darkness have seen a great light: They that dwell in in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  Thou has multiplied the nations, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou has broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.  For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning an fuel of fire."

And then, after explaining that the people, all mankind, would not remain in darkness or under the pall of death and hell forever, but be delivered and have reason to celebrate more than they had ever known, he breaks forth in acclamation at the source of their deliverance!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice henceforth even forever." (Isaiah 9:2-7)

This is why we celebrate Christmas, because those that were in darkness can now move into the light.  This is why there is hope, because unto us a child was born!  Never was there a greater reason to rejoice!  No doubt, His gift was the greatest gift ever given.  How right it is that we should celebrate His birth.  How right it is that our celebration should be centered on Him and His gift.

Praise the LORD!

Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD.

Praise the name of the LORD!

Blessed be the name of the LORD

now and forever.

Everywhere—from east to west—

praise the name of the LORD.

For the LORD is high above the nations;

his glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can be compared with the LORD our God,

who is enthroned on high?

He stoops to look down

on heaven and on earth.

He lifts the poor from the dust

and the needy from the garbage dump.

He sets them among princes,

even the princes of his own people!

(Psalms 113:1-8

New Living Translation)