I put the Christmas tree up last weekend – on the first Saturday in December, as is our tradition.
I got nostalgic- missing yesteryears when the children were little & we decorated the house to the tune of Frank Sinatra’s Jingle Bells! Those Saturdays were typically Pyjama Days for the kids & the stockings were hung up on the inglenook fireplace. And the Little People Nativity Set took over the coffee table.
I put up my Christmas pallet that says ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year!’
Except sometimes it’s not. I mean it doesn’t feel wonderful. There’s so much going on in our own world & across the globe that is the opposite of wonderful. There’s dreadful, terrible news.
War.
Earthquakes.
Sickness & sadness.
Death & Depression.
Dysfunctional families.
Increased cost of living & poverty.
So, what makes our life wonderful?
Or rather Who turns our life wonderful this Christmas time?
The prophet Isaiah foretold the event that makes the difference:
‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.’ (Isaiah 7:14 NIV)
Immanuel means God with us.
God with us in our struggles.
In our sadness.
In our sickness.
In our stresses.
God with us through it all!
Our Almighty God took on flesh & bone & became a baby. He moved among us & went through day to day life on planet earth. So we can be saved. So we don’t have to face anything alone.
‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)
‘Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.’ (Psalms 9:10 NIV)
We know the Name of our Almighty Everlasting God who stooped from eternity into time {to be with us}
He is the Wonderful Counsellor:
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.’ (Psalms 32:8 NIV)
He is Mighty God:
‘For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.’ (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)
He is our Everlasting Father:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,’ (Matthew 6:9 NIV)
May you know the Prince of Peace, especially at this time of year.
‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.’ (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 