We just experienced the Christmas season where people talk about joy, hope and peace on earth. If you watch or read the news, it’s easy to find stories filled with pain and despair. People on this earth, in a million different ways are sitting in the dark and are afraid; hoping beyond hope that someone will protect them, hold them, keep them safe, and lift them out of their fear. We are in desperate need of a Savior.

Isaiah prophesied the coming of Jesus the Messiah: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”  (Is. 42:6-7)

Jesus hears our cries. He sees us all, and He is working out His plan. At great detriment to Himself and in humility, Jesus came into the darkness of this world. He saw us down in our fears, our pain, our sin, and our despair. He brought His great light and great love. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

We don’t have to be alone, fearful and without hope. “Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” (Gal. 3:14) The Father sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. When we put our trust in Him, His Spirit comes to dwell in our hearts and will always be with us.

When Jesus began His ministry, He first spoke with the people who knew Him in His hometown: “‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:18-19, 21) They rejected Him; I urge you not to do the same. Whoever follows Him will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life!