Merry Christmas!
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! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants— all their whips and cudgels and curses— Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! 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. – Isaiah 9:2-6
A Light. Great beams of light burst forth into the world. Never before seen! With Jesus, we now have a chance at redemption. A chance to experience God’s love on earth. An opportunity to encounter God-With-Us every single day. We have a Prince of Peace! We live in the kingdom of love and peace because of this God-child that was born. All praise to Him and Him alone!
May your Christmas be wonderful because of this Gift from above! Let us pray this prayer together, as one body of Christ, with hearts full of gratefulness for the amazing love Jesus has for us.
Precious Father in Heaven,
Your love is so incredibly devoted and true that you took the most precious thing imaginable, your son, and made Him vulnerable. The idea of Jesus spending nine months in a womb, then years as a baby and child, so intertwined in this world and yet always perfect and good….it baffles me. That Jesus would willingly go through a life when He already knew the joys of the Father’s presence and the ecstasy of heaven means so very much to my heart. Father God, you are love. You have proved it over and over. Thank you that on this day thousands of years ago, You put forth in motion this plan of redemption. That this part of the story happened, and because of it, I get to know You as a Father and I get to be in Your Presence, to host Your Presence. You are the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. Blessed be Your name, forever, and ever, and ever. May Your glory shine more brightly today than ever before, and may it spread across the earth quickly like wildfire. Let it shine in me, no matter what this day brings. You are always good and faithful, I love you with everything I am.
In the wonderful name of Jesus, AMEN.
