The Lodestar

Christ’s birth is expected; it has been foretold in the Old Testament long before and is something the faithful have been hoping for centuries. Isaiah is one of the many prophets who anticipated it.

The prophecy cited here came to Isaiah when the people of Judah were in the thick of the political, social, and spiritual darkness: “And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness” (Isaiah 8:22). Eight centuries before Christ was born, corrupt kings and leaders led God’s people in Judah. King Ahaz was an infidel who installed a pagan altar in the Temple and even sacrificed his son to pagan deities (2 Kings 16:3). Hezekiah is reckoned as a good king, but he still could not trust the Lord fully and sought the alliance of Egypt against the will of God. Isaiah condemned him for his pride when he exposed all his wealth to the envoys of Babylon (Isaiah 30:1-7; 31:1-3 ). Corrupt leaders lead corrupt people. The rich exploited the poor, neglecting their covenant with the Lord. They worshipped idols and consulted diviners and fortune tellers. Rulers and the subjects were walking in utter darkness.

Pained at the situation, Isaiah called out to his people, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5). People did not heed his advice but only continued to grope in darkness.

However, the Lord showed Isaiah that there is hope: “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). That hope is not pinned to the earthly rulers but is in God incarnate who will establish a reign of peace and righteousness. Born as a child, this king will inaugurate the rule of God in the hearts of men and women.

The New Testament calls this reign of the Godchild the Kingdom of God. He walked up and down ancient Palestine to invite the people to enter this love, peace, and righteous domain. He appointed the apostles to go out and tell this Good News.

The world around us drowns in the darkness of political uncertainty, corruption, and superstitions. But the child born on Christmas day beckons us to the rule of God that his followers are under and will come in its fullness when he descends from heaven to take over the reign of this world.

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