The CHRISTmas Story

With all the events and circumstances that we have been hearing, seeing and living in this past year, I have been reflecting upon the state of our world, our communities and our homes…

we have seen so much hurt, harden hearts, hate and darkness… yet, we are reminded in God’s word that in the midst of this darkness our God had a plan…

let’s pick up the story in  Isaiah 9:2-7:

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

Ever warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

For unto 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 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.

We have always been a people walking in darkness…

            in a world full of trails, hurt, pain and hate…

Yet…

a world full of HOPE…

for a  light broke through that darkness…

                       the darkness of our world…

                                   the darkness of our souls.

This great light broke through like the dawn…

        like a brand new morning…

                   full of new light

                         full of new promise

                                full of new mercies.

This light shattered the yoke of the burdens of mankind…

                      this light came to shatter their oppression

                               to bring them joy and rejoicing…

in the midst of their darkness…

           in the midst of their trials

                   in the midst of their circumstances

                           in the midst of their hurt and pain…

this great light was given to us…

By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”   Luke 1:78-79

and He is called:

          Wonderful Counselor

                     Mighty God

                             Everlasting Father

                                      Prince of Peace…

Peace is not a feeling…

           Peace is not an absence of trails or heartache…

                      Peace is not a quietness of circumstances…

    Peace is a person… who came to bring us hope…

  who can to bring us light and show us the way…            

… the way of faith         … the way of hope              … the way of love.

Peace is a person…  the person of Christ…

who fills our darkness, with His light….   with His presence.

The CHRISTmas story is a story of faith,

                                                  … a story of hope

                                                           … a story of love.

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

~Resting in His love, resting the in Prince of Peace.

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