Rejoice! The Promise Is Fulfilled

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 Jordon -

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.

                                Isaiah 9:1-7 NIV

This promise to the Israelites has been fulfilled. This promise to all who would believe has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ our Lord. As we celebrate the coming of God into the world as a baby born in a barn; let us remember that what it is we celebrate is that Jesus Christ is born and he is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Let us rejoice this Christmas Eve and tomorrow and every day for Jesus the Christ has been born for you and for me.

May God bless all of your Christmas celebrations!

God's Peace - Pr. J