The Day After...And Everything Is Different

Yesterday was the day after Christmas. Whether or not December 25 is the actual date of Christ’s birth, it is the day on which a good portion of the world stops to celebrate (whether they know the origin of their celebration or not) the birth of The One Who Changed Everything.

One day mankind arose, worked, ate and went to bed under the death-curse of sin. And the next day we awoke to a world that cradled at last its own Long-Promised Redeemer. We woke up and everything was different…better…possible…new.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light!

… For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.”
(from the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, found in Isaiah 9, quoted from The Message)


The prophets of Israel had talked for generations about the promise of a new day when God would right the wrongs, turn the tables for the Grand Reversal on wickedness and death. The birth of Jesus was the start of that new day. His death and resurrection sealed it. No more searching the skies for the sign of the promise. No more crying in captivity. No more groping around and stumbling in the darkness. The whole world was caught in an ambush of God-light and God-love and nothing has been the same since. The Light had come!

In Alaska, we understand light and dark. When we pass the winter solstice and the days start to lengthen again, we count every second. The local news announces each day’s gain of sunlight and no increment is too small to note. We are coming out of the long darkness and craving the light that brings the hope of springtime – and new life.

Jesus changed everything. We were asleep in the darkness of our sick, fallen, wicked ways. And one day, we woke up and everything was different. Jesus was in the world. These are the days after Christmas. Did you notice the new day? Did you know that everything has changed? Did you know you got a do-over?

"Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, "Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won't have to stay any longer in the dark." (John 12:44-46, The Message)

Ambushed by God and brought from darkness into the light,
Kimberly