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 throneand 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. (Is. 9:5-7 NIV)

This is the hope of the ages. No more combat boots. No more blood soaked garments. Why? Unto us a Child is born. But not just any child. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Out of Eternity into Time/Space, to turn our world right side up.

Too good to be true?

Christmas Peace to all of you!

Every warrior’s boot used in battle 
    and every garment rolled in blood 
will be destined for burning, 
    will be fuel for the fire. 
⁶For 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. 
⁷Of 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. (Is. 9:5-7 NIV) 

I don’t have to remind you that we on this planet are at war, war with each other, war with a world order that threatens to drain the life out of us, even war with ourselves. The Prince of Darkness spreads hate and misery everywhere. But his days are numbered. The day that the Prophet spoke about is coming. No more need for the warrior to don combat boots. No more garments soaked in blood.  For unto us a CHILD is born! Our Prince of Peace is coming back, not as a tiny baby confined to a manger, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  

May the Prince of Peace speak Peace to your hearts tonight, even in this moment. Immanuel – God with us – all things are possible, even now! 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:26) 

The birds return with every spring to sing their songs anew, 

As though cold winter’s deadly sting could ne’er its wrath renew. 

Their song so sweet, with trembling feet on swaying choirs they sing, 

And cry the hope now incomplete some rising sun will bring. 

When flowers’ bloom shall never fade nor leaves from branches fall; 

When sweet bouquets of thistles made adorn the banquet hall 

Where sons of men shall sing again sweet Eden’s liturgy, 

And join the birds in concert then, from curse forever free. 

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:1-4) 

Even so, Come quickly Lord Jesus! 

I wonder as I wander out under the sky 

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die 

For poor or’nry (ordinary) people like you and like I 

I wonder as I wonder out under the sky. 

When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow stall 

With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all 

And high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall 

As the promise of ages it then did recall. 

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing 

A star in the sky or a bird on the wing 

Or all of God’s angels in heaven for to sing 

He surely could have it, for He was the King. 

Ponder the mystery. God the Son, who spoke the worlds into being, confined in swaddling clothes and sleeping in a manger, a cattle trough. He emptied Himself, humbled Himself, made Himself nothing. Why? Because He didn’t want a star, or a bird, or an angel choir. He wanted you and me, and there was only one way to rescue us from our enemy. So He became obedient unto Death, even Death on a Cross. Now highly exalted, Lord of all, He calls us into fellowship with Himself, His Father and the Holy Spirit. What wondrous love is this!  

Jumping back a few verses in John 1, I find this treasure. “The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. On that night so long ago in the little town of Bethlehem, Israel’s Messianic hopes seemed all but lost. “Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.” Was Jehovah really involved? Had He forgotten His people? The songwriter answers this question for us.  “Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light”. Soon shepherds out on the dark hills, despised by their culture, would be the first to hear the good news: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”. And so it happened, in God’s perfect timing. “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”.  

This is my Father’s world!”In spite of the cultural slide away from Biblical faith here in the West, in spite of the increasing indifference and hostility toward the Gospel, the Light of Bethlehem will shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day of His coming.  It’s definitely time to brave the attic’s chill and dig out the nativity set.  

Then I remember Jesus’ challenge from the Sermon on the Mount. “Ye are the light of the world”. Will these words make a difference in my day? Now there is a challenge that might get me through the winter, even after the Christmas decorations are tucked away for another year.  So what if it’s ridiculously dark on this shivery morning? So what if we have yet to pass the winter solstice, when we can at least begin counting the days until spring? I’m challenged to let His light shine through me on these dark days. At what time of year is it more needed? What plans might the Holy Spirit have for me today? Whom will God put in my path today who is desperately in need of some light? What words can I share that will dispel the darkness in someone’s heart?  I’ll be watching and listening. Christmas light is shining!