For To Us A Child Is Born!

Isaiah 9:6 rings like the bells of a steeple spreading their glorious sounds out into the streets of mankind telling us today that hope lives because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Drink in the message that is the foundation of the Christmas story:

Isaiah 9:6
"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."

There is so much about this verse that causes hope to rise in my heart, but what I would like to highlight is that God sent a Child - His only Son. Think for a moment about the vulnerability of a baby and then take in the realization that God wrapped His Son in the vulnerable frame of an infant. On every conceivable level reasonable men and women would deem this to be a stupendous folly. Why would anyone rest the hope of the nations upon a child?

Here is my attempt at an answer to this question. God sent His Son, an infant boy, into this world and allowed Him to be small and vulnerable because He knows just how small and vulnerable each one of us can be in the darkest hour of our lives. God the Father designed the unveiling of His Son as an infant born into a messy stable (see last week's blog pertaining to this) so that no living person would ever think of God as being distant and not understanding of their vulnerable state. In fact, God with the full authority of who He is, speaks to us through His Son saying, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Do you see the relationship God desires to have with you in this kingdom statement? God wants you to fully rely on Him as a child just as Jesus did when He was born into this very dangerous world.

So, today, I would like to encourage you to sit back, take a deep breath and receive the Kingdom of God afresh as a little child with the deep realization that He's got you. Yes, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace has got you. You are ok as long as you receive and continue to receive Him and His kingdom as a child.

From my family, to you and yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Pastor Eric

P.S. If you have no other plans, please come to our Christmas Eve night at the church. Sleigh rides start at 5 p.m., program starts at 6 and 8 p.m. with a live nativity in the lobby and lots of free hot chocolate!