Christmas Peace

Christmas Peace

 Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God with us').". 

Luke 2:11: "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.". 

John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.". 

Isaiah 9:6: "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.". 

Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.". 

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.". 

These are our “go to” verses for Christmas reading. Each one is beautiful and rich in meaning. The book of Isaiah and Micah were LONG before Jesus birth.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,  though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,  from ancient times.”

The Birth of Christ was known to God from the beginning. Nothing has ever been a surprise to Him. So of course, He gave us little hints in the Old Testament so many years before Jesus was born. If the Bible is the most important literature ever written, the story of Jesus birth must be the most important part of the book. Of course, it isn’t more important than his death and resurrection, because that is exactly why he came to earth. But if he had not been born, where would we be? Every time I really take a moment to contemplate the birth, it amazes me to realize that the king of the universe came to be born in such a lowly place to 2 young people of no significance with no big ceremony and no celebration. Just a quiet weary mother and her precious baby resting in a “barn”, with Joseph looking on, watching, protecting, comforting. We, here today, contemplate what it must have been like. The Bible gives us just enough information to write a story in our minds, but we do not have details. Did she have a midwife? Was it just Joseph and her? Was it cold? What we do always picture in our minds is the peacefulness of the time. So, today, put down the wrapping paper and the cookie dough. Take a moment to be there in the barn with Mary and the baby. Feel the peace that the baby brings. Just BE for a moment in the presence of the almighty God. Immanuel, God with us. Linger there for a bit before rushing back to the celebrations of His birth. Amen.

Shirlene Peterson