The cold December air poured into the car, giving me a much needed slap in the face to keep me awake as I drove north on I-95. The glow from the New York City lights could still be seen in the rearview mirror. I stepped on the gas and plunged deeper into the dark road ahead. My friend, Paul, was out cold in the seat next to me, snoring like nobody’s business.
I turned up the music to drown him out and started drumming along with the song on my steering wheel. I really needed some coffee or caffeine but I was determined not to stop again until we got to Paul’s house in Rhode Island. If I could just stay awake until it began to get light, I’d be fine. I kept telling myself that over and over again.
“Just a little bit longer and it will be light out.”
“Pretty soon I won’t need my headlights.”
“Come on, Jeremy. You can do this!”
(Sidenote: I talk to myself to stay awake when I’m driving, saving lives one awkward conversation at a time.)
All of the sudden I realized that it was light out.
It kind of snuck up on me. It didn’t get light all at once with a big flash, but before I knew what was happening, I no longer needed my headlights. With renewed energy I stepped on the gas (never exceeding the speed limit of course…), knowing that it was downhill from here. I finally got home to Sagamore Beach around 7am, just in time to see the sun rise over the ocean. It was honestly one of the prettiest sunrises I’ve ever seen. You might look at the picture (below) and think that you’ve seen prettier, but you didn’t drive in the dark for 10 hours waiting with desperate anticipation for the sun to come up. That perspective changes things.
I think we are often guilty of viewing the birth of Christ with a similarly incomplete perspective. We forget the desperate longing for their Savior that Israel lived with for hundreds of years. We take the prophecies about Jesus from Isaiah and neglect to put them in the context of the day they were written.
Israel was a captive nation, longing for the freedom they once knew. When Isaiah 9 was written it offered a very real hope to them. They began to look for the coming of their Messiah. Put yourself in their shoes. Every time a baby boy was born his parents would wonder if maybe he would be the one to set them free. There was an expectation of freedom and deliverance that kept the nation of Israel going throughout their captivity.
“Just a little while longer and it will be light out.”
Then in an average looking barn, to average looking parents, with average looking shepherds nearby, a baby was born.
Light began to break through the darkness.
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… but the world did not recognize him.” (John 1:9-10)
The people that had prayed for, sung about, pleaded with God to send their Messiah didn’t know what was happening, even as the light grew stronger. Just like the morning light where there is no dividing line to say it’s completely dark one minute and light the next, the Light of the World slipped in largely unnoticed.
Now take the story of Simeon, who spent his life waiting for the Messiah. The Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die until he saw the Savior of his people, but there was no further time table given. Simeon was just waiting indefinitely, holding on to the promise of God. He was in the temple when Mary and Joseph came to dedicate Jesus and when Simeon laid eyes on him, he knew exactly who he was.
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’” (Luke2:28-32)
My drive through the night is a great metaphor for what Simeon went through. He was holding on to the promise of light and life even though he wasn’t sure when exactly it would come. He just knew that it would come. The birth of Christ has so much more meaning in the context of Simeon’s life. The sunrise is best understood and appreciated after a long, dark night. Experiencing darkness gives us a new and profound understanding of light.
I know that Christmas has already come and gone. Most have already taken down their decorations and life has gone back to normal. I wanted to write this earlier but I couldn’t ever seem to put it into words. But the birth of Christ and story of Christmas is not just for the month of December. It’s story that should be read and re-read all year long.
The story of Christmas, the story of Simeon reminds of us God’s faithfulness and hope. Whatever journey you’re in the midst of, whatever story is being written in your life right now, keep your eyes firmly fixed on the promises of God for your life. He will always come through and do what He has said He will do.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)
jeremy stone 