PASTOR’S CORNER

“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 9:6-7 We are now in the season of Advent in which the church prepares or gets ready for the celebration of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ the King of Kings! It just feels different the minute we begin to prepare for this celebration. It seems like there is so much more love and thoughtfulness being passed around between people, and there is a sense of hope that maybe wasn’t there before.

When the above scripture was written, the people were living in a sense of hopelessness, and really didn’t think there was any way out of their situation. They had lost their country and they were basically a people without a future. Isaiah the prophet prophesied a new day. A day of great hope! A day when a king would be born to them that would change everything. I love the phrases that he used here: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Wonderful Counselor meaning he would be very wise and a great guide for the people. Mighty God, meaning he would be very powerful. Everlasting Father, meaning his kingship would be one that didn’t just come and go. And finally Prince of Peace meaning that his kingdom would not be of fear and power, but of remarkable peace! I wish I could say more about these phrases, but I hope you get the point. And then Isaiah said “of his greatness and peace there will be no end.” That is what we continue to celebrate today!

The kingdom of God continues through the gift of this child born so long ago. The kingdom of peace, the everlasting kingdom, the kingdom of the greatest power, and the kingdom that holds the wisdom of the Counselor or Holy Spirit. It is the kingdom of the Way, The Truth, and The Life! It is the kingdom that came in the form of a baby, (JESUS) who grew to a man, and gave himself up to die on the cross for our sins that we may be redeemed from our sin, and then the kingdom that lasts forever because Jesus was raised from the dead showing that He has all authority and He is everlasting God!

That is so much to celebrate!!! If you are reading this, and you feel no hope, it is probably because you have not heard or understood the message of this great gift of God to the world and to you personally. It is my hope that this Christmas season, you will come to see, perceive or understand that God loves you enough to give himself for you!!! Merry Christmas!!!

(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)