Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Living in the Northeast I can’t help but be taken in by the glittering lights, snow covered trees and community traditions that surround the holiday. But it’s easy to get so wrapped up in the seasons and responsibilities that we lose sight of the reason for it all.
Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
“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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
The prophet Isaiah proclaims that the Messiah would be born as a child and that He would be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting father and the prince of peace. He would be the one who comforts and counsels, the one who is mighty to save, and the one who knows no end. He would be the one to bring and bear peace to His Kingdom, the Kingdom we each are seeking to extend.
Whether you are a pastor, treasurer, lay minister or congregant in your church, this Messiah is the reason for everything we do. Every dollar received and given is for the peace of His reign to be known. Every message spoken is a voice crying out in the wilderness to make way for our King. Every hard conversation we have, in church and at home, is a testament to the presence of our Wonderful Counselor. Even the reports we create and pass out, ultimately are necessary for us to continue spreading the greatness of the Messiah.
Jesus is the reason for this season, the reason for it all.
This Christmas, as we gather to proclaim and celebrate the birth of Christ, may we remember the reason for the season. May we remember, experience and share the wonder of our Messiah; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:11 NIV
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”