Both Cheryl and I want to take this opportunity and wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We trusted the Lord who is the light of the world it pour out his glory, his light and his blessing on all of you during this Christmas season.
The many prophecies concerning Christ's birth shows forth God’s plan of redemption from the very beginning. As we are reminded in 2 Peter 3:9,
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise but his patient not willing that any should perish.”
Key Old Testament prophecies related to Christmas include
Isaiah 9:6 , which speaks of a child named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 7:14 prophesies that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son named Immanuel.
Micah 5:2 identifies Bethlehem as the birthplace of the ruler of Israel.
We can trust the Lord that he will draw all who will come to himself in his time. When you consider the detail of the above prophecies spoken over Christ’s birth, some hundreds of years before he was born, it gives me great confidence in God working out the details of our lives. Thus, at this Christmas time we bless you regardless of your situation with the comfort knowing that he oversees every detail and concern of your life. He is for you not against you as the Apostle Paul states in Romans 8. Furthermore, nothing can separate you from his incredible love.
May this promise be comfort to those of you you may be facing first Christmases away from loved ones who have gone on to be with him. Know that he will never leave you or forsake you and that he has given you Holy Spirit whose name is “Comforter” to be with you.
Finally, one of Jesus's names that I love is the name “Emmanuel” Which means “God with us”. Even the psalmist knew this truth when he quoted in Psalm 139 that nothing can separate me from His Spirit. If I make my bed in the “Sheol”, His Spirit is with me. If I ascend to the highest heaven, His Spirit is also with me.”
Just as Jesus is the light of the world, may his light shine forth from your own life for Jesus dwells within us. He is the hope of glory. I love this portion from John 1:1-1 8expressing who Jesus is,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people[c] did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God . 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[ from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.18 No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who[f] is at the Father's side, he has made him known.”
Just as God had a plan to reveal Himself through His son, He also has a plan in both these days and the days to come to also reveal Jesus though us. That is His ultimate plan at the end of the age. All creation is waiting with eager anticipation for the revealing of the sons of God. What a hope and a blessing that is.
“Lord, continue to prepare us as your sons and daughters to reveal Yourself through us which is our greatest purpose in these days. May you get all the glory for just as you prepared Mary to carry the precious Lord Jesus, You have given us a similar privilege of carrying Your Spirit and then manifesting Himself through us so that that as we touch and minister, people are drawn to You. Help us never take this for granted but help us to be continually reminded of this, in Jesus most Holy name”!