"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." Isaiah 9:6 MSG
This has always been one of my favorite "Christmas" verses. I love the hope it gives. I have needed hope lately. This Christmas has been a struggle in some ways, yet a wonderful blessing in others. Funny how an experience in your life can be both a blessing and a struggle. But I guess that is one of life's many mysteries. I realize that hope is one of the best gifts God has given us in His son. It says in Proverbs 13:12, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life." The Message Bible says, "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. " (Prov. 13:12) I have lived that out. I have had my heart broken over something and felt so hopeless in a situation and than something will glimmer in the darkness. God will move in a small way and I will see hope.
We all need hope. Only Jesus can bring us the hope we need.
I am so thankful that He came to give me hope. He was born in a stable, the lowliest of births. He was born among farm animals, in a place that wasn't sterile or safe and it probably smelled. His earthly dad was a carpenter and his mom, a young woman that God chose to bring Life into the world. His background isn't glamorous or grand. His parents were simple, regular people that believed in miracles. His siblings didn't really understand their older brother, might have even thought he was weird. He learned his earthy father's trade while studying the ways of His heavenly father. He knew Who He was and why He came. He knew His purpose. And when the time was right, He stepped into the fulfillment of His calling.
~He became our Amazing Counselor. He came to be our advisor, to lead us and guide us in this life we live. He came to give us wisdom needed, to navigate through the hardships, the struggles, the confusion. He came to live out His Word so that we can follow in His footsteps.
~He became our Strong God. He became our Rock, our Fortress, our Strength. He came to fight our battles for us and to give us victory. He came to be our testimony. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. He came to be our Mighty Warrior.
~He came to be our Eternal Father. He is the One who was, who is and who is to come. He is the beginning and the end. The Alpha and the Omega. He knows our end before our beginning. He spoke and the world came to be.
~He came to be our Prince of Wholeness. (I love this one!) In Him, we are whole! He came to complete us. He is not broken or damaged or impaired in any way. When we come to Him with our brokenness, damaged soul and impaired mind He makes us complete. He takes all the "stuff" and makes it perfect.
As you celebrate this blessed holy day with your family, remember that there is so much more to the story than His birth. He came to bring us life eternal. He came so that we could live an abundant life. He came so we could share with others what He has done for us. He came to give us victory, hope, peace, joy!
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son....." John 3:16 MSG
Merry Christmas!
