by Rev Douglas Brauner

Finding the light of hope in Jesus.

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It was a cold day when I took Ginger for a walk on the newly restored trails in Black Forest Regional Park. I was compelled to finish a roll of film that had family Christmas pictures already waiting for me to develop. This park, in the heart of the scorched land from the Black Forest fire, is my go to place.

As Ginger sniffed every tuft of grass, every tree trunk, and every rock, I quickly took pictures in the hope of returning quickly to the car. However, as we moved along the trails facing a bitter north wind, the golden light of the setting sun shone on the trees, both living and dead.

Black Forest Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

Was it the hope of light, or the light of hope that appeared?

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
Isaiah 9:2 English Standard Version

Humanity walks in the hope of light.

We walk in darkness because of sin, groping around looking for some light to penetrate the darkness of our broken lives. We might think that we’ve found the light in a new relationship, only to discover that the person we thought would enlighten our lives is also dwelling in darkness.

Where will we find the light to dispel our darkness?

Jesus is that light. With only two days left in the Christmas season, we remember that the baby born for the “dead trees” of this world comes as the light that restores life. His love, his forgiveness, his mercy are the light for which we hope.

We now have the light of hope.

Just as my hike changed when the light appeared, so life changes when we see the Light that was born for us. We have hope: hope that God will use all things for his good this side of the grave, and hope that God will restore all things to pure life when Jesus returns.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado