December 25, 2009: Christmas

May peace fill your home this Christmas and may you be a messenger of God’s peace to your family and friends! Merry Christmas!

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has shone. …For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Holy One, Giver of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2, 6)

Isaiah did not know Jesus because he lived long before Jesus’ birth. But people in Isaiah’s day were looking for a Messiah, a name we give to Jesus. Messiah means “anointed one.” Kings were anointed and those who looked forward to a Messiah were thinking of an earthly king who would save them. In this passage from the prophet, we hear a description of the Messiah. Does it not perfectly describe Jesus, whose birth we celebrate today? Jesus was not an earthly king, but He surely is all and more than the people of Isaiah’s time hoped for and dreamed of seeing. Blessed are we who know Him of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote!

Action:

Take time this Christmas to thank God for Jesus, our Messiah. Thank God for the gift of faith that makes it possible for us to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, Giver of Peace. May peace fill your home this Christmas and may you be a messenger of God’s peace to your family and friends! Merry Christmas!