12-Dec-14

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7Can you imagine this birth in the lowly stable?  This tiny babe was given his job description on earth in a prophecy from Isaiah long before his birth.  The grandeur of His titles give us pause.  How can a humble birth possibly be God, a Counselor, a Father or a Prince of anything?  Least of all, the Babe could not possibly fulfill His destiny.I can see Isaiah sitting at his table, writing words, letter by letter.  Did he finish and then raise his eyes to the Heavens in wonder as he read the words given to him by God himself?What a glorious promise of a government and peace lasting forever as we watch earthly governments come to be and pass away like fireflies flickering in the sky on a summer night.  The promise and the hope that the great light brings is joy for those who rejoice in a steady light of truth.So the wondrous season of celebration of the birth of Jesus continues to be celebrated by the faithful, those who love Him.  There is no end of rejoicing or hearts dancing with understanding.When I first heard the lyrics of “Away in the Manger”, I wondered at the part – No crying He makes…I pondered those lyrics. I knew that babies cried.  How was this possible?  And now I know, we don’t cry when there is a penetrating light that is Jesus, himself.Dear Lord, Thank you for the Light of the World who takes away my sin as far as west is to the east.  Thank you sending Jesus to free us from the Yoke of Sin.  Thank you for giving us Hope, the force of life itself that makes the next step in life possible.  We love you and celebrate the birth of Salvation.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen