Dark days and gathering gloom

Photo by Harley Upton on Unsplash

Arise, shine, for your light has come, 

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth

 and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you 

and his glory appears over you.

Nations will come to your light, 

and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 

Isaiah 60:1-3

Rain and high winds are again forecast for the weekend. As the storm clouds gather here, parts of Turkey and the Greek island of Samos have been hit by a powerful earthquake. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed and residents live in fear of what may happen next.

Other news is equally gloomy. Across Europe the spread of the coronavirus is headline news. In Britain discussions are underway to decide what measures are needed to manage the second wave of the pandemic. Anxiety levels are rising alongside the daily statistics that show increasing infection rates, hospital admissions and deaths due to COVID-19. 

As the world struggles to contain the virus, the threat of terrorism has again become a reality. Attacks on church goers in southern France this week follow the brutal killing of a school teacher near Paris a couple of weeks ago. The dark days of winter this year bring with them a sense of gathering gloom.

Centuries ago the prophet Isaiah delivered a message of hope to people living through dark times of their own. Christians believe that Jesus' birth several hundred years later was the fulfilment of that prophecy. The dark days and gathering gloom of winter 2020 are not cause for despair. Anxiety and fear need not overwhelm those who put their faith in the One who sent Jesus to be Light for the World.