Thursday, December 26, 2019

A CHILD…A SON

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 9-10

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Here again is one of David Reynold’s photos from Nazareth Village. Just imagine what was going through the minds of Mary and Joseph as they gazed upon the little One of whom it was written, “Unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given” (Isaiah 9:6).

 

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Isaiah 9:2, 6

The people who walked in darkness

Have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

Upon them a light has shined.

…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.

 

The border between Zebulon and Naphtali (Isaiah 9:1) is exactly at the town of Capernaum, the place where Jesus lived, taught, and did many miracles for most of the years of His public ministry. Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew lived there. Truly these people saw “a great light!” (read Matthew 4:12-17).

Consider the names of Mary and Joseph’s Child and God’s Son. (1) “Wonderful!” In the Hebrew language this name means, “That which is miraculously accomplished by God.” (2) “Counsellor!” His counsel reveals the heart, mind and will of God. (3) “Mighty God!” No wonder that thousands of Jews, including some of the priests and rulers who believed Isaiah’s prophesies, believed that Jesus is fully God. (4) “Everlasting Father!” Jesus is the Giver of eternal life and is One with the Father (John 10:27-38). (5) “Prince of Peace!” Paul writes of Jesus, “He, Himself is our Peace!” (read Ephesians 2:14-17). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). And in Isaiah 10:17, in the midst of prophesies of judgment, Isaiah declares that there is hope in “The Light of Israel!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I thank You for the Child, and thank You for the gift of Your only begotten Son! All glory to You for the One who is 100% human and 100% God! Grant me, I pray, all the grace I need in order to enter more fully into His provisions for me, so that I will glorify You all the more. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Here, on the day after Christmas, it’s good to reflect on Jesus’ birth. Some of our blog partners have mentioned that December 25 is probably not the correct date of His birthday. However, I believe that it’s still a great celebration day. The world does pay attention, in spite of all the trappings of a traditional Christmas, to the fact that Jesus did come to live on the earth. There’s got to be an influence when we hear, as I did in a local mall, the words being sung, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come…born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”

I read that Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, was in the line of Abijah, one of the priestly families who served in the Temple for the month of March (approximately). If Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant immediately after Zechariah’s return home from the Temple, and we know that she was six months along when Mary arrived, then adding Mary’s nine months to Elizabeth’s six months, it would mean that Jesus was born 15 months later. The Shepherds did not pass on the date, neither did Mary and Joseph. The world’s most popular song, “Happy Birthday” had not yet been composed. I think that the message to us is not the date, but the fact that He was “born” and “given!” Let us rejoice and keep celebrating for the next 365 days. That way we’ll be sure to hit the right date. By the way, our friends from the Orthodox Churches celebrate January 6th, and the Armenian Church celebrates January 9th. I’ve just turned to Philippians 4:4 and read, “REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS! AGAIN I WILL SAY, REJOICE!” I refuse to dampen my celebration in any way because of a confusion over dates.

Yours for celebration anyway and just because!

David

9 thoughts on “Thursday, December 26, 2019

  1. Yesterday, I had problems posting on the blog; unfortunate. Merry Christmas, to all the saints! Praying you had a blessed day and enjoy the rest of the week.

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 ESV

    Immanuel means “God is with us.” God is indeed with us. Amen, saints? He turns the troubles we face into unexpected blessings. He fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit. He comforts us and encourages us and provides us with the light and love of salvation. He gives us hope for the future and the victory of eternal life!! He is our King! He is our Saviour! He is our everything!!

    Emmanuel Hallowed Manger Ground With Lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=270yTNO8Kxc

  2. Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus to save us. We celebrate your birth, your life, your care, your keeping us, your wisdom, your grace, your death, your resurrection, your intercession for us… please, Lord, don’t let our hearts grow cold or hard. Help us love You and others passionately, as You do, and bless all your people throughout this world, we ask in Jesus’s great name, amen

Leave a Reply to Rob Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.