A King Has Been Born!

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us' and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Did you know that there really is a "Grinch" stealing Christmas, beloved? In fact, long before Dr. Seuss gave to us that lovable green character upon whom we like to heap the blame for ruining our Christmases, they were already being stolen right out from under our noses! Whether we like it or not as Christians, Santa Claus has replaced Jesus as "the reason for the season." The sound of reindeer hooves on the rooftops has preempted the holy strains of "Silent Night." The humorous stanzas of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" have swallowed up the reading of the Christmas story in Luke 2. And the merry sight of inflatable snowmen, over-sized candy canes and icicle lights hanging from the edge of the roof have overshadowed the age-old nativity scene that once adorned every house in the neighborhood. There is no doubt about it. A "Grinch" is definitely stealing Christmas!

I for one believe that it is time for us to rediscover what Christmas is all about and to reclaim it for ourselves, our families, and even our nation. It is time for us to refocus our thinking upon what and who is really important. And all we have to do is read these two verses from the prophecy of Isaiah to do just that!

Notice in the sixth verse what the prophet said concerning the promise of Christ's coming. This "child" is none other than the Son of Man - One able to laugh with us, cry with us, hurt with us, and finally die for us as He takes our sins upon Himself.

Then Isaiah revealed that Christmas is about a "son" being given to us, specifically the Son of God. The word "give" shows us His divinity, His preexistence with the Father before all time. So the Son of God became the Son of Man by becoming "Immanuel" - God with us!

The prophet next declared that "the government" shall rest upon His shoulders as the King of Kings. But what government? The U.S.? Great Britain? The Soviet Republic? Iran? Oh, no! Not even close! That "government" which shall rest upon His shoulders will be none other than the government of our individual lives! Every detail of the affairs of our living lies directly in the hands of this King of Kings. The ultimate worldwide kingdom over which He shall rule not yet a reality, He rules today in the hearts of all who will come to Him in simple faith.

And what will He do when He comes? Isaiah called Him our "Wonderful Counselor" - the One who will give direction for life's living. This Christmas child would have all the answers that we will ever need! He will be able to show us the direction in which our lives should go.

Isaiah also referred to Him as "Mighty God" - the One who not only gives us wisdom but power for living. With His divine power He would conquer sin and death and hell on Calvary's tree. And living within us He is able to make us "more than conquerors" because of His great love.

Then the prophet called Him the "Eternal Father" - the One who gives to our hearts assurance about life's living. Because His kingdom is an unending one, we need never fear for our own future. Because of who Jesus is, we have an eternal relationship with the Father.

Finally, Isaiah said that Jesus would be the "Prince of Peace" - the One who gives to us peace in the living of our lives. He first brings us into a position of peace with God because of His shed blood. Then He brings us into peace with ourselves because of who and whose we are. And at peace with God and with ourselves, we can ever be at peace with our circumstances whatever they may be.

Son of Man, Son of God, King of Kings, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace - how does all this line up with what your eyes are seeing all about you this Christmas, beloved? There may indeed be a "Grinch" stealing Christmas, but we who are followers of Jesus Christ do not have to stand idly by and just let it happen! We have unshakable peace, insurmountable faith, and a Savior that everyone needs. And we also have mouths that can speak and opportunities divinely given to let anyone and everyone know that Christmas is not a lighted front lawn complete with prancing reindeer and a jolly bearded old elf trying to squeeze down a chimney. Christmas is only about one gift - the gift of God to man - eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

From Bev and me to all of you who mean so much to us and to Christ's kingdom: Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Ron