During the Advent season, our family has been memorizing some verses that are related to the prophecy about Jesus that happened several hundred years before he was born. Will’s favorite verse out of these is Isaiah 9:6:
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When I was in Bible College, the Hallelujah Chorus was the last song we would sing during each of our choir concerts. Anyone who wanted to could join us up front to sing the 6 part harmony. It was always a beautiful moment, with the candles lit throughout the sanctuary of our chapel.
I find it interesting that at the time this prophecy was spoken by Isaiah, people believed it meant a powerful earthly king and a strong political figure who would free them from their physical captivity to the Babylonians and Assyrians. Instead, Jesus’ main purpose was to free us from spiritual captivity to sin and to bring peace to our hearts, rather than peace to the land.
Here’s a great verse to meditate on along with Isaiah 9:6:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Whether Jesus was really born on December 25th or not (and there’s good reason to believe he wasn’t), celebrating His birth and allowing myself to really focus on the birth of our Savior throughout the whole month of December is always a privilege for me. I am terrible at becoming distracted by the day to day, but somehow the shining lights of the Christmas tree (to us representing Jesus, the Light of the World) and the pretty Christmas carols that we sing bring me back to the simple faith of my childhood. I pray it is that way for you too, that instead of Christmas just being a time of eating good food and opening presents, it is a time of meditating on our dear Savior born 2000 years ago “away in a manger”.
“Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth.
Ye who sang Creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King.”
(My favorite carol)
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
WANT TO SPEAK WITH GRACE TO YOUR KIDS INSTEAD OF YELLING?
