As we hustle about in preparation for Christmas, we need to stop for a moment and truly think about what we are celebrating. We must remember that we are not only celebrating His birth in a manger; but rather we are celebrating His willingness to leave His throne to come to this earth in the vulnerable state as a baby, to suffer the pangs of hunger, to be humbled, and later humiliated – rejected by the very ones He came to save.
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Beyond that He would then take upon His shoulders all of the sins, guilt, and shame of mankind that all who accept His Gift of Salvation might then share in His inheritance one day. Read these scriptures in Isaiah prophesying of Christ’s birth. He refers also
to the ultimate return of Christ to take His place on the throne here on earth; but, the question is does He reign in the throne of your heart today?
Isaiah 9 2-7 (NIV) “The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;…
5 you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor….
6 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.”
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Let me make this a little more personal to help you understand. He has shone the brilliance of His righteous light into the darkest depths of my heart; and, yet, He chose to bear the cross for me. He loved me that much. Ever so gently throughout the years of my life, He has removed one by one the counterfeit joys I clutched tightly to within my heart or searched diligently for—believing that in them I could find joy. Heartbroken and filled with sorrow I would return to His feet and ask why? There it would be that I found that He was my joy. The search for joy elsewhere had been the yoke which so burdened my heart. In His presence is fullness of joy. Until I realized that other desires, hopes or dreams would take ownership of the throne of my heart. It is only after Christ removed those and keeps removing new ones that appear, that He could take and maintain reign in my heart. Then, the most amazing thing happened. I began to have the joy which I could then share. My love and compassion for my family grew. Instead of other things taking the throne of my heart, they shone brighter because Christ held the throne. I could now see them as such wondrous gifts. Oddly, the sorrows I had walked along this journey suddenly shone forth as gifts of grace leading me ever closer to Christ. Still as we draw closer to Christmas and the New Year, we look back over the past year and the years of our life. If you are like me, you see scattered along that road, failures. Sometimes you must face the fact that without ever wanting to, you have failed the very ones you love the most. Ah, but for us there is this glorious truth for which Christmas is a reminder. Unto us a Child is Born, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Ask Him (as I have) to guide you and show you a bright new day. Only He knows how to take all your failures and because He sees your humbled, broken heart can change them into something beautiful. So my questions for you today?
1. Do you know Christ?
2. Has the light of His Glory shone into your heart?
3. Does He reign upon the throne of your heart?
4. Do you know the Peace and Joy of God?
5. Do you know Him as Your Wonderful Counselor and Friend?
So let us rejoice, I hope you enjoy the London Symphony Orchestra performing
Handel: Messiah, For unto us a child is born
©2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.