"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations."
Isaiah 42:1
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations."
Isaiah 42:1
It's Christmas Eve and I invite you to come with me on an imaginary journey back in time—back to the middle of the eighth century B.C. We’re living in the land of Israel surrounded by trouble, not only at home but around the known world. But for today, we are gathered in a huge amphitheater with thousands of other people—perhaps hundreds of thousands—waiting for the stage to rise. People from all over the country are here. Families and friends are sitting together in groups. Single people as well have found a seat here-and-there. Even though you can hear hushed whispering and the swishing of robes as people find their places, the atmosphere is unusually subdued.
Word has it, you see, that a major announcement is about to be made, and the prophet Isaiah on behalf of God Himself will make it. What will it be? You, along with everyone else, can’t help but wonder. What’s more, you are extremely nervous. After all, you haven’t been following God all that closely. You’ve drifted away. In fact, you’ve refused to bow in obedience to Him, putting everything else ahead of Him. Not to mention your country. For years your nation has been sliding away from God and His ways. Sometimes it seems that the world has gone crazy. You’ve even suffered at the hands of your enemies as a direct result of turning your back on God. It’s no wonder you’re nervous, even afraid. Even so, somehow you know this announcement will change the world. As your thoughts continue to churn within you, the moment arrives and as Isaiah takes the stage, you expect the worst, but hope for the best. Perhaps God will be merciful. Could it be?
Obviously, the picture I’ve painted is fiction, but the announcement made by the prophet Isaiah was for real! It's true! For way back then he announced the coming of God’s Servant, Jesus. And some 700 plus years later, just as predicted, He came! He arrived as a baby in Bethlehem, ready, willing and able to offer God's mercy to the world.
That's why we have Christmas!
Judy Rose Grubaugh
Word has it, you see, that a major announcement is about to be made, and the prophet Isaiah on behalf of God Himself will make it. What will it be? You, along with everyone else, can’t help but wonder. What’s more, you are extremely nervous. After all, you haven’t been following God all that closely. You’ve drifted away. In fact, you’ve refused to bow in obedience to Him, putting everything else ahead of Him. Not to mention your country. For years your nation has been sliding away from God and His ways. Sometimes it seems that the world has gone crazy. You’ve even suffered at the hands of your enemies as a direct result of turning your back on God. It’s no wonder you’re nervous, even afraid. Even so, somehow you know this announcement will change the world. As your thoughts continue to churn within you, the moment arrives and as Isaiah takes the stage, you expect the worst, but hope for the best. Perhaps God will be merciful. Could it be?
Obviously, the picture I’ve painted is fiction, but the announcement made by the prophet Isaiah was for real! It's true! For way back then he announced the coming of God’s Servant, Jesus. And some 700 plus years later, just as predicted, He came! He arrived as a baby in Bethlehem, ready, willing and able to offer God's mercy to the world.
That's why we have Christmas!
Judy Rose Grubaugh