The Birth Announcement

 

    

   

Isa 9:6

 

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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

KJV

 

There are two types of news that usually brings ridiculous amounts of joy:  1) an engagement; 2) a pregnancy.   There is something that is very exciting about these two life-changing milestones.  After these occur, nothing is ever the same in the life of those involved. 

 

The news of this particular impending birth changed the course for all humanity- both past and present.  The promised Messiah!  The long-awaited deliverer and King!  The Jewish people had suffered under oppression, waiting  for the day that a King would come.  Only, He did not come in the package that they expected.  They expected Him to come in a King's chariot, but rather He arrived in a lowly manger surrounded by common farm animals. He was nothing that they expected, and everything that they needed.

 

The birth of Jesus Christ is a beautiful celebration each year.  But I think we sometimes forget that the manger in Bethlehem was only the beginning.  He was born not only to die, but to rule and reign!  A day is coming when all will bow before Him and declare that He is Lord!  All of His enemies, all  of our fears and struggles will bow before Him in abject subjection to His authority. 

 

I am a sucker for movies with a plot that results in the beleaguered hero rising from the ashes.  Sweet vengeance and victory, restoring to the hero all that was due Him.  It stirs and excites me to see that kind of storyline.  Sometimes, I just sit around and imagine what it will be like on the day that Jesus is avenged.  For all of the suffering, the pain, and the rejection that He suffered, Jesus will be exalted! The lowly, suffering servant will arise as an  all-powerful magnificent King!  Can you imagine the beauty of the glorified Lord when at last we can see Him with our own eyes?! Surely He is "wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."  He is all of that and so much more!  This Christmas allow Him  to rise in your heart from the manger to the throne!

 

 Dear Lord, thank you for coming!  Thanking you for leaving the glory of heaven to suffer for me.  Thank you that one day I will see You just as You are.  You are wonderful to me!  I acknowledge you as the everlasting Father.  In Name.  Amen.