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. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)
The words from Isaiah are a great comfort this holiday season. Instead of a season filled with peace and joy, it has been filled with vitriol, anger and unspeakable tragedy. From doomsday having been predicted to the horror of Newton, we need the comforting promise that we too will be delivered.
I know I have been shaken to my core since Sandy devastated the Jersey shore. It's hard to fathom a loving God would allow these horrible events to occur. However my faith allows for God to work in mysterious ways to counteract evil. 
Jesus was born into humanity. He breathed, ate, interacted. Even though Scripture is silent on many details of His life, I'm sure He had some of the same experiences we all have. We have read that He wept and grieved. I'm sure He laughed, too.
This season we celebrate Jesus' birth. Handel's Messiahlibretto is based on Isaiah, and his prophecy of Jesus. Thousands of years ago a Messiah was foretold, and we were promised great miracles. Some have come to fruition, others we are waiting for to occur. There is the question of timing. We want it NOW not when God wants it. Miracles happen everyday, even in the wake of tragedy.
All of this hope began with a baby born in Bethlehem. Let heaven and nature sing. 
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. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)
The words from Isaiah are a great comfort this holiday season. Instead of a season filled with peace and joy, it has been filled with vitriol, anger and unspeakable tragedy. From doomsday having been predicted to the horror of Newton, we need the comforting promise that we too will be delivered.
I know I have been shaken to my core since Sandy devastated the Jersey shore. It's hard to fathom a loving God would allow these horrible events to occur. However my faith allows for God to work in mysterious ways to counteract evil.
Jesus was born into humanity. He breathed, ate, interacted. Even though Scripture is silent on many details of His life, I'm sure He had some of the same experiences we all have. We have read that He wept and grieved. I'm sure He laughed, too.
This season we celebrate Jesus' birth. Handel's Messiahlibretto is based on Isaiah, and his prophecy of Jesus. Thousands of years ago a Messiah was foretold, and we were promised great miracles. Some have come to fruition, others we are waiting for to occur. There is the question of timing. We want it NOW not when God wants it. Miracles happen everyday, even in the wake of tragedy.
All of this hope began with a baby born in Bethlehem. Let heaven and nature sing.
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