Christmas Promises

Hundreds of years before Mary and Joseph wandered around Bethlehem, searching desperately for a place where she could give birth, God told Isaiah what Christmas means from heaven's perspective.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

In other words, Isaiah was told that a king was coming with authority upon him, and his reign would be marked by the wisdom he gave his people, the power with which he rescued his people, his intimate fatherly kindness to his people, and the peace in which his people would live.

But the greatest part of the promise is what follows.

"Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

God promised that what was set in motion in the manger, in the obscurity and stench of farm animals, would never stop increasing in influence upon the earth. Like a snowball tumbling down the mountain, the rule of this child would only expand in size and power over time. 2000 years later, Jesus the King continues to transform lives. The seed of Jesus's Kingdom never stops growing- even in the face of persecution, materialism, and opposing ideologies. Day after day the sick are healed, the oppressed set free, and the dead brought to life.

We can take courage that the story we celebrate on Christmas did not end 2000 years ago- it is our own epic of a Kingdom of hope breaking through with redemption to every corner of the earth God loves. We are right in the middle of it.