Isaiah 9:6-7
For 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Rejoice, always, rejoice! For a child is born and a son is given, He will reign forever and ever! The most astonishing gift is given to us by our heavenly Father, who knows how to give good gifts, He invites us all to receive His gift of love. 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift."
Memories of Christmas flood my mind more this year than any other, perhaps, it is because we are learning not to take anything for granted, to cherish our most precious moments and to hold on to hope for better things to come. Luke 2:10-11 tells us, "the angel said to them, fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."
Isolation has caused many of us to take stock, to slow down, to reflect on what's good and what's not so good in our lives. For some, it is an unprecendented hardship, living on limited means, wondering when and where our next meal will come from. In this world we will have hardships, my prayer is that no one will be hungry, cold, lonely and without hope. God sent His son into this world to give us hope, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Rejoice, for God is good, He is calling us to Him. The words in Titus 3:4-7 show us the love God has for us, "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Closing Thoughts:
Jesus came as a babe to live and die for our sins, He will come again, to call His people home. The words of this Christmas song speak of God's promise for today and throughout time. It was written almost 1200 years ago and has been sung by so many in anticipation of Christ's coming again; He will return to ransom His people.
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
O come, Thou Day-Spring
Come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height
In ancient times did’st give the Law
In cloud, and majesty and awe
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel
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