Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Prophecy fulfilled

Friday, December 25, 2015

Isaiah 9:5-7
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.

Luke 2:7-14
Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

In the fullness of time Isaiah's prophecy lights on the manger in Nazareth. This baby will be called the Prince of Peace, and the greatness of his government will have no end. The angels know. They are full of joy and want to share it with the shepherds.

The shepherds know, and they want to share their excitement with the baby and his family.

The magi know, and they will quickly appear with gifts and worship after their long trip from the east.

Herod knows, and is sore afraid. He decides to kill all male children in Bethlehem under two, to protect his reign from the threat of the prophecied Prince of Peace.

And on this Christmas Day over two thousand years later we can know too. We can listen for the music of the angels, and stir up our everyday energy into quiet receptive stillness. God inhabits our silence.

Jesus is born, the cow moos, the rooster crows, and Bethlehem awakens. The shepherds realize they must return to their flock. On this same day Ebeneezer Scrooge leans out his window and cries out to the boy below, "What day is it, young man?"

"Why, it's Christmas Day, Mr. Scrooge."

"Then go buy the biggest turkey you can find and take it to the house of Tiny Tim." Suddenly even Scrooge knows. Jesus is born, and there is joy in heaven. Joy on earth. Joy all around.

Lord, I want to sing out my praise and leap and laugh and dance till the cows come home, even as I also want to rest with great joy in the silence of the stable. My breath, too, steams in the air over the baby Jesus in his manger. You are here!

Devotions Archive

Prophecy fulfilled

Friday, December 25, 2015