Neville Turley

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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 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 for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

In the days when snail mail still ruled, Christmas cards were very popular and our verse for today was often quoted. So often, in fact, that people seldom took time to read it, let alone seriously consider the full implication.

God had come to earth in human form. That very fact should fill us with awe and wonder.

This was the lifeline that God had promised humankind in the Garden of Eden.

Some 700 years before that first Christmas, Isaiah foretold the birth of the Christ child. That child would be the foundation on which God’s divine plan for restoring His fallen creation would be based.

In the midst of all our Christmas activities we must never forget our Lord Jesus Christ is the reason for our celebrations. Our first priority should be to pay him homage. 

Matthew reminds us what will happen when the Lord Jesus Christ comes again. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:31-34)

What a blessed day that will be for those who follow Jesus. 

Prayer: Sovereign Father, thank you for the great love you have poured on us through your Son.  May the Holy Spirit guide us along life’s way and empower us to glorify you. Amen