“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
The prophet Isaiah told of somebody really special coming to earth. If you had been standing in a crowd listening to him give the details of this child who would be coming what would you have been searching for in the coming days and years? Surely, not a humble child like the one in the attached photo that lives near Gonaives; the world was not expecting such a humble figure who would judge the world…who would be our Savior. Today our world has been told of His birth, His ministry, His sacrifice, His victory and have been told that He will return one day and judge this world; too many in this world are still looking for something ‘better’ to meet their needs. You needn’t look any further than the humble wooden feeding trough in a Bethlehem stable and further down the road to the cross of Calvary. Share the message of this Savior with the world that is around you, along your journey and within your family. I close with the words from the hymn ‘What child is this’ that was written by William C. Dix in 1642.
“What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary! Why lies he is such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross he borne for me, for you; hail, hail the word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary! So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby; joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay