The Wonders Of His Love Series

Babies change everything, or at least a lot of things change for a family when a baby is born. For mothers, a selfless devotion to her child kicks in. Life revolves around what the baby needs, not her own needs. New fathers find a place in their hearts that was not there before. A sense of pride and care rises up. That's my child! Babies change our identities. Even becoming a grandparent changes the long-time parent.

On a practical side, there a lot of changes. New furniture for the baby makes you rearrange the house. Car seats take up space in the car. Schedules change, priorities for time and money change. Diapers are changed. Had to mention that. The parents' world is turned up side down. It can be chaotic sometimes. It can be exhausting. Sometimes it's both chaotic and exhausting.

On the other hand, Babies give us hope, they inspire dreams of the wonderful things the baby might do when grown. But a baby is all potential. Babies haven't done anything. It is yet to be seen what they will actually do.

The birth we are celebrating this week is of course Jesus' birth. Jesus indeed changes everything. His life turned the world right side up again. If we believe the prophecies about him, his potential is astounding. And the expectations for the coming Jewish Messiah were high.

Let's read Isa 9:1-7

“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

will be fuel for the fire.

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.

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.”

Let's pray,

Lord heavenly father, thank you for this advent season, for the past three weeks of experiencing the meaning of Christmas in a different way, to experience with our hearts and minds what it's like to wait, to genuinely long for your promises to come true, wanting to know for sure you will keep your promises. We need endurance and patience. I am especially thankful today that you have kept this promise - and that is - to be with us. You did not leave us orphans when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. You send your holy spirit to reveal Jesus to us. You have chosen to dwell in our hearts by faith. Be with us now as we consider your wondrous love. May we know it and receive it anew. In Jesus' name, Amen

What a glorious picture this prophecy painted for the future of the nation of Israel, God's people, so long ago. When they were carried off to a foreign land and enslaved, year after year, they longed to be back in their homeland to be God's people, gathered together again. It's going to happen, the prophet says. Hope will break out like the light of dawn. The restoration of their nation will bring joy and blessing. Even the evidence of war will be burned up. All the bad memories will fade away. No more slavery. What a complete rescue from oppression in a foreign land!

How will it happen? A child will be born - a human child with astonishing potential. Notice the divine characteristics: Might God, Everlasting Father, no end to his kingdom, upholding the government with justice and righteousness forever . And finally, the Lord Almighty takes responsibility for making it happen.

If that's true how can it fail?

Well, it may seem to have failed for us today. Where do you see everlasting peace on the earth? The governments in various countries are overturned, warfare destroys whole towns. Innocent people suffer. Famine, floods, other natural disasters occur regularly. Even in our stable and very safe society in this country, we are distress by a lot of things. Drugs, crime, corruption. Personally, we suffer injustices, disappointments, hardships, loss, grief.