To
read: Isaiah 9:2-7
Isaiah 9:2-7The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Text from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
By the time you read this I will have become a grandparent for the first time.
My hopes for this child are perhaps beyond what it is possible to expect. I hope
he or she will be a faithful follower of Jesus, perhaps a pastor some day. I
hope in any event that he or she will carry out a strong sense of family and
live for others in one way or another. I hope he or she will be a joy to his
mother, as well as to me.
The people of Israel had similar hopes for a child that would be borne in their midst. "The government would be upon his shoulders and he would be called, 'wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.'" These expectations and hopes were also very high, but they were filled centuries later when Jesus was born. God always comes through on God's promise. No hopes are too high for one wholly given over to God. Rejoice!
The people of Israel had similar hopes for a child that would be borne in their midst. "The government would be upon his shoulders and he would be called, 'wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.'" These expectations and hopes were also very high, but they were filled centuries later when Jesus was born. God always comes through on God's promise. No hopes are too high for one wholly given over to God. Rejoice!
