The Christmas Prophet

By Pastor Crotts

A noted historian once said that, “America is in the twilight of greatness because it is in the twilight of goodness.” Some several decades ago this was noted and for sure is being found true today! We speak of the coming of Jesus Christ this Advent season, and what a time for the Light of the World to enter into our dark culture.

Let’s go back a few thousand years – to the year 740 B.C. You may remember the story well – it’s found in Isaiah 6. A man named Isaiah, which means “God’s Salvation”, was called to the ministry. His job would be two-fold: to foretell what was to come and to forthtell of God’s actions dependent on their behavior. He was to go to Judah, the southern kingdom after the split with northern Israel.

The context of his ministry was not easy – you might say Judah was in its own twilight of greatness. Goodness was on its way out. Corruption, materialism, half-hearted service to God, man was big in his own eyes, God was small, deaf ears seemed to be the lot of his audience, and the complacency of the people must have been tough. The priests had led Judah astray. What a calling!

Outside Judah’s borders, Assyria was growing in size and strength. Warriors who terrorized were ruthless. Humiliation was great. God’s hand was heavy upon them.

What to do? “Let’s fix this ourselves,” they said. And so they hired mercenaries, they allied with Egypt. But these were human efforts. God spoke up! The two sons of Isaiah tell the story: Shear-Jashub (the remnant will return) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (shame is immanent). Isaiah warns of the coming of the Day of the Lord. The holy, covenant-keeping God would do what he promised – he’d bless or judge based on Israel’s response. “Return to God!” was the ongoing message of the Christmas prophet. “You can’t stop God – no matter what you try.”

Exile, humiliation, the mercilessness of Assyria would be God’s instrument of judgment. Yet spots of brightness would come!

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (7:14)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (9:2)

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God…the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together… (40:1,5)

Jesus Christ has indeed come to our world! He came as a Savior and he comes again as Judge. He comes to a world whose definition of greatness is of no consequence to the majestic splendor of the Triune God.

And look at what he’s done! “As far as the curse is found (Genesis 3),” he has come “to make his blessings flow.” “No more let sins and sorrows grow!” This is good news!

The Christmas prophet brought hope of a better future to a people living in darkness. Christ came and brought light. You have been redeemed; your salvation has only begun.

And indeed, though we live in a nation that is in the twilight of its greatness, we are only at the dawn of our own greatness - in Christ! What will become of us who have met the Christ child and have been reconciled to God?

Though we live in the midst of darkness, of a nation whose greatness is nearly gone – may we show the goodness of God as he is making us great!

Bryan