Christmas is to be perceived and celebrated as God’s thunderous announcement that His precious and great promise has arrived, not as a concept, but as a Person in Jesus Christ.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”   (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

Jesus, as our Savior, needed to be the baby born in a manger as prophesied.  It was imperative for Him to come in the flesh with blood running through His veins for without blood, there is no remission of sins, no redemption made possible and no salvation available. Unless He came as a child, He could not die to fulfill His destiny as the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world.  He was born to die.

^“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.   And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  (Philippians 2:5-8)

More so, being born in human flesh, He stepped fully into our very own full range of human enticements: temptation, pain, fatigue, hunger and sorrow.  “Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested.” (Hebrews 2:8).  This reassures us that no struggle that we face catches Him by surprise and He gave us this promise that God always has a way of escape that we may be able to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Jesus, as the only Beloved Begotten Son of the Father, He was given at an appointed time.  He is the Living Gift, the eternal Word Who became flesh and dwelt among us, fulfilling God’s promise in excellent orchestration.  He is the forever Son of God, Who was, is and is to come.

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

The government will be upon His shoulder denotes that whatever weight we carry, He constantly issues us an invitation to cast them all to Him for He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully.  You and I are not meant to carry any burden for we are not divinely designed for it.  We were created to abide in Him and Him in us, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  We run to Him for His kingdom is of peace. 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

His Name is WONDERFUL! He is extraordinary, miraculous, beyond understanding and yes, HE absolutely DOES WONDERS! 

“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, DOING WONDERS?” Exodus 15:11 NKJV

We live in a world full of wonders created not by human hands but by our Wonderful Creator.  And not only He did wonders in creation around us, but we are always to remind ourselves that we have been fearfully and wonderfully made.  He formed us nothing less than according to His image and likeness. 

“For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

Hmmmm … I dare to challenge you to get a pen and a paper and write down the awesome wonders that God tangibly manifested in your life before your very eyes.  Surely your heart will be filled with thanksgiving and praise that will cause you to worship Him for Who He is like never before.

His Name is Counselor.  He is our divine Source of Wisdom, Knowledge, Revelation and Understanding.  When we seem to be off track, He guides and leads us back on track that He laid out for us.  Our Good Shepherd leads us in the path of righteousness for His Namesake (Psalm 23:3).  The Holy Spirit within us faithfully guides our path, comforts us in every season, and brings light when life’s challenges surround us in darkness. He busies Himself with our every step.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”  (Psalm 119:105)

His Name is Mighty God.  He is Almighty Whose power no foe can withstand (Psalm 93:1 AMPC).  He is the Highest Ruler with authority above every other power.

When opposition rises against us, His Word says, “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.  Only a spectator shall you be [yourself INACCESSIBLE in the secret place of the Most High] …” (Psalm 91:7-8 AMPC)  He is the Wall of Fire around us and the Glory within us.

He is our battle flag of victory as we march forth and fight to establish His kingdom on earth and in men’s hearts.

 It is He Who is constantly in our midst Who is mighty to save. 

“The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.”  (Zephaniah 3:17 AMPC)

He is Everlasting Father.  He is our Heavenly Father Who withheld nothing from us, not even His own Begotten Son, so that through Him, you and I are postured “to receive the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:15-17)

I so love this verse that says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

In love, He called us His sons and daughters.  What can be of richer revelation than this that He called us His very own and that, too, He is our GOD, THE FATHER OF ETERNITY, Who gave us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness?

He is Prince of Peace.   He is our Steadfast and Undisturbed Peace. 

When life seems unfair that births within us a troubled heart, He assured us of His presence that embodies His very own peace. 

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”  (John 14:27 AMPC)

“I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMPC)

Christmas re-anchors and re-affirms our trust and hope in Christ alone Who came to give us life that we may HAVE and ENJOY it more abundantly.  In Christ alone is found not only eternal life, but an earthly life marked by unending peace.

Let us receive Jesus Christ anew today—not only as our Savior Who has saved us from our sins, freeing us from guilt, shame, and condemnation, and filling and flooding our lives with His PERFECT PEACE, but also as the Lord of our lives: the ONE WHO LOVES US LIKE NO OTHER, owns us, directs us, and cares for us, carrying us in Himself—intimately personal, ever-present, and permanent.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!