Christmas is just twenty days away. What does that cause in your spirit? Are you jumping for joy? Are you thinking about all the things you must do in those twenty days? Are you worried about the family gathering and how things will go? It seems that every year about this time, we can get a bit anxious about the coming holiday.
The thing with Christmas is this. It’s not really about all that we have going in our lives when it comes to Christmas. It’s about what we actually think about Jesus. Consider this verse:
“To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7
I find myself getting so side-tracked at Christmas time. I’m already writing down the dates of parties, organizing the food, and thinking about even writing a Christmas letter this year. This verse stops me in my tracks. There’s absolutely nothing more important than Jesus and his birth and how we personally respond to His greatness and glory. It’s something very personal that each of us should consider.
Yet, I stop in my tracks when I read this prophecy in Isaiah 9:6,7. TO US. This child was born for us! This child would be a man, but more than a man. He would also be the Son of God. We, humans, needed a perfect, infinite Being to offer a perfect infinite atonement for our sins. (Enduring Word)
How does Christ carry the government on his shoulders? The government of the entire world already rests on his shoulders and will into the Millennium. His government shows itself in daily life through God’s people. Caring for orphans. Serving the poor. Bringing peace, hope, and encouragement to those around us. Practicing thinking of others as more important than ourselves. Listening to people and valuing others. Finding someone to serve in some way and do it for a while.
Also, wrapped in this verse, we see various names of Jesus:
Wonderful - Jesus is wonderful and what He has done for us should fill us with wonder. You can never really look at Jesus, really know Him, and be bored. (Enduring Word) Who is more wonderful than Jesus?
Counselor-Every day, I start the day asking God to guide me and counsel me for the things of that day. Jesus can help us with all our problems. He may help us through the Bible, through His presence, or another person, but He is our Counselor. He has extraordinary wisdom! He advises, consults, plans, and guides us. We can go to Him about anything! How do you need Him to be your counselor today?
Mighty God- He is God Almighty, creator, and sustainer of the whole universe. God in the flesh. God with us! He can do anything!
“To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7
I find myself getting so side-tracked at Christmas time. I’m already writing down the dates of parties, organizing the food, and thinking about even writing a Christmas letter this year. This verse stops me in my tracks. There’s absolutely nothing more important than Jesus and his birth and how we personally respond to His greatness and glory. It’s something very personal that each of us should consider.
Yet, I stop in my tracks when I read this prophecy in Isaiah 9:6,7. TO US. This child was born for us! This child would be a man, but more than a man. He would also be the Son of God. We, humans, needed a perfect, infinite Being to offer a perfect infinite atonement for our sins. (Enduring Word)
How does Christ carry the government on his shoulders? The government of the entire world already rests on his shoulders and will into the Millennium. His government shows itself in daily life through God’s people. Caring for orphans. Serving the poor. Bringing peace, hope, and encouragement to those around us. Practicing thinking of others as more important than ourselves. Listening to people and valuing others. Finding someone to serve in some way and do it for a while.
Also, wrapped in this verse, we see various names of Jesus:
Wonderful - Jesus is wonderful and what He has done for us should fill us with wonder. You can never really look at Jesus, really know Him, and be bored. (Enduring Word) Who is more wonderful than Jesus?
Counselor-Every day, I start the day asking God to guide me and counsel me for the things of that day. Jesus can help us with all our problems. He may help us through the Bible, through His presence, or another person, but He is our Counselor. He has extraordinary wisdom! He advises, consults, plans, and guides us. We can go to Him about anything! How do you need Him to be your counselor today?
Mighty God- He is God Almighty, creator, and sustainer of the whole universe. God in the flesh. God with us! He can do anything!
Everlasting Father- The Hebrew word translated as “everlasting” has the idea of “without end” just as we read at the close of the verse “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7) Imagine all the things in this life that come to an end. Then picture our Everlasting Father. Always and forever.
Prince of Peace- He will be characterized by peace. Because of Christ’s work, we can have peace with God, peace with men, and peace in this world. He can give us inner peace when our hearts are in turmoil. He is in control. Always, even when we’re not.
Pour a cup of coffee and tea. Grab a warm blanket. Turn on your Christmas lights. Sit with this beautiful verse. Marinate on Christ’s names. Let your Christmas be about Him.
Unto Us A Child is born....Oh, how we need Him! https://www.youtube.com/
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
No comments:
Post a Comment