The Light of the Messiah

If you don’t already have plans to be in the house of the Lord this coming Sunday, why not be our special guest at the Ridgway First Baptist Church? We would love the opportunity to welcome you and worship with you.

This Sunday, December 13 at 10:40 a.m., our choir will be presenting a special cantata entitled, “Gather at the Manger.” The songs and the narration of this Christmas celebration will lead us not only to reflect on that nativity scene in Bethlehem, but to rediscover the faithfulness of God in sending a Savior – His Son, Jesus. And realizing this truth will transform your life as you receive Him as your Savior and Lord.

Personally, I’m also excited about the young man who will be singing a solo part in the cantata. You’ll have to come and find out who!

Then at 2:00 Sunday afternoon, if football’s not your thing and if you’re willing to give up your naptime, let me invite you to the SIC community choir’s performance of “The Messiah.” I’m not getting paid to promote this concert, but my wife will be singing in the soprano section and it should be a terrific event. Tickets are $5, and it will be held at the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center at Southeastern Illinois College.

As I understand it, in the summer of 1741 a 56-year old composer was at the low point of his musical career. He was suffering from poor health following a stroke, and was in considerable financial difficulty. He wanted to do something different from his previous works, and had been reading from the book of Isaiah.

His heart was captured in the ninth chapter of Isaiah. George Frederick Handel then set out to compose a piece that might somehow display the glory and truth of the text. What he came up with within just 24 days was one of the most majestic and triumphant oratorios ever written, “The Messiah,” concluding with the grand Hallelujah Chorus.

Encompassed in this masterpiece is the lively joy of Isaiah 9:2-7. In this text the prophet speaks of the child to be born, the son that will be given to us. This is the One whose coming will bring the light of dawn upon a nation walking in darkness. This is He who would shine the great light upon those dwelling in the land of the shadow of death. He is Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Messiah!

This is the One who multiplies the nation and increases its joy. This is the One whose victory over the enemy is decisive and sure. This is the One who reigns with a government of peace that will never end. This is He whose kingdom will be established and upheld with justice and righteousness forever and ever. And so we sing, “Hallelujah!”

This is the One whose name is Wonderful Counselor. He guides in perfect wisdom and counsel those who set their hearts to follow His ways. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Walk in His wonderful counsel and you’ll not be led astray.

This is the One whose name is Mighty God. The ultimate victory over sin and wickedness resides in His strength and power. Jesus has indeed already conquered sin and death by His own death upon the cross and His great triumph over the grave, and will one day soon display the full glory and might of His reign. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

This is the One whose name is Everlasting Father. He is without beginning or end, the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, who was and is and is to come. Jesus Christ, in the heart of a Father, is the same yesterday, today and forever.

This is the One whose name is Prince of Peace. He is the author of peace, the only source of true and perfect peace. Jesus Himself is our peace, who gives us His peace and in whom we have peace even when the troubles of the present world may rage around us, for He indeed has overcome the world.

Friend, if you’re living in the darkness of sin right now, then open your eyes to behold the Light of the world – Jesus Christ! Follow Him, and you’ll never walk in darkness, but you’ll have the light of life!