Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Isaiah 9:2-7
New Living Translation (NLT)

2 [a] The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,[b]
    a light will shine.
3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
    and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest
    and like warriors dividing the plunder.
4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery
    and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
    just as you did when you destroyed the army of
Midian.
5 The boots of the warrior
    and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
    They will be fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[c] Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne
of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s
Armies will make this happen!

Reflection:

Today's Scripture passage actually causes me to
reflect on the transformative power of a "child… Born
to us"(v.6). This season, the celebration of Jesus
birth really signifies a change not only for my problems,
my struggles, my faithless ruts but for our entire
system of being human-spiritual, emotional, physical,
and political. Today we can reflect and rejoice in God's
promises for friends and family faced terrible times and
painful situations for He has "government and its peace
will never end" (v.7)

Scripture:

Read Psalm 98

1 Sing a new song to the Lord,
    for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
    his holy arm has shown his saving power!
2 The Lord has announced his victory
    and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
(Psalm 98: 1,2)

Reflection:

This has been one holiday season. I feel like I have
been put through the ringer. I have listened to people,
who are rushed, who are angry, who are anxious,
about of all things Christmas. I have found myself
getting caught up in all of these different emotions.

As the seasoned winds down I find myself reflecting
on my attitude towards Christmas. It ends up so very
busy and so very cluttered. Actually it ends up feeling
like work. I find myself thinking about next year.
What changes do I need to make in my life, and in
the lives of those around me, to celebrate this season?
Celebrate like creation does in Psalm 98? I want my
wife, my children, and my grandchildren, to grow up in
a home where Christmas is equated with "the Lord
announcing his victory" (v.2 NLT). Hopefully this will
be our greatest cause of celebration, especially during
Christmas.

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you so very much for giving us
your victory. Thank you for all the celebration and joy
that brings I asked you Oh God to help me think of
new ways to see your victory every year and at every
Christmas celebration. In your holy and blessed name
AMEN.

Scripture:

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been
born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
(Luke 2: 11)

First let's get something straight, Christmas is not
an season.  Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
are seasons.

Christmas is an act in history, it is an act of
of the heart, it is an act of the mind, it is an act
of the soul. And that specific act should not and
will not end!

The birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, continues
to present Himself in our lives.  Because of that
specific act, the birth of the Son of God, God
Himself, came into and continues to be in our
lives.  GOD IS THERE FOR US, HE CONTINUES
TO BE IN OUR LIVES. God is there for us, He
continues to comfort and guide us.  Not only
do we need to recognize the act of Christ's birth,
we need to realize that Jesus' birth continues to
affect our lives.

He was not only born into the world then, He is
born into our lives now!

Continue to experience Jesus Christ, that
experience will continue you to live for an
eternity.

AGAIN AND ALWAYS;  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Prayer:

Almighty God, I thank you for your birth into
the world, and I ask you to continue to be a
part of my life forever. Thank you God for
always being there for me.   In Your Holy
Name.  AMEN