For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you,
- From Isaiah 60
It's always darkest just before the dawn. It's the quietest then, too. When camping, the nighttime creatures are intense in the their chorus, between sundown and an hour or two after midnight. But one by one, they drop away. When it is at it's quietest, it seems even the breeze dies down, until there is total silence. If you have not fallen asleep by then, the quiet itself is unsettling. Every sign of movement outside may be a skunk, a raccoon getting into your stuff, or even a bear!
Total darkness, and total quiet. The darkness may be bearable, if there were some sounds. But the quiet has its own brand of creepiness. You feel lonely, vulnerable . . . lost.
The world has been covered in darkness at various points in its history. In the moments before Creation itself, it was totally dark, and totally quiet. But the sad lonesome scene was broken up by the warm voice of God.
In the days before the flood, the world became very dark. The rampant sinfulness was accented by the gathering clouds. As the sky grew darker, the sense of rebellion against God and Nature began to isolate each human, one from the other. Brothers, sisters, parents, children, became enemies, so hopeless had become the human condition. People living in darkness and silence will begin to do irrational things.
But then the rain came down . . . and ultimately, the sun broke through.
Sodom and Gomorrah. The enslavement of the Hebrews in Egypt. And the downward slide of the kingdoms, first of Israel, then of Judah . . . as darkness and silence from on high became the norm, people responded by retreating into their own selfish interests, their own wanton lusts.and the reckless voyeurism and exhibitionism that is the wont of unchecked humanity.
And it seems like God is eternally silent.
It was like that just prior to Christ's first Advent. It was even known as "400 Silent Years." After forging an intimate alliance with His people, since the dawn of history, God had fallen silent.
But in that Silent Night . . . that darkest of all eras, of Roman wealth, power, corruption, despotism, and decadence (don't they always all go together?), at the conclusion of centuries in which God seemed nonexistent . . . He came.
Christ shone as a light in the darkness. He came at history's darkest moment (up to that point). So many had forgotten the promise that most people missed it. There were, however, three men of great wisdom, living in the Middle East. They came a great distance to see the Boy King.
You've got to listen to the authorities. Watch for the signs. Go for wisdom rather than popularity.
When the Son of Man comes, there is only One "Right Side of History."
True Loyalty demands that we stay true, and stay patient. Our friends, in their impatience will lure us away from watching for the Only One deserving of our loyalty. Political parties, celebrities, professors, bosses, mass movements . . . they all seek our loyalty (our souls). For whatever reason, they want us separated from the One King to Whom we should be loyal.
The Darkness itself is a sign that the King is near.
Stay dependable. Stay consistent. Stay ready. Stay watchful. Stay wise. Stay loyal.
Because He is eternally loyal to us.
Merry Christmas.
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