Sunday, December 11, 2011

Third Sunday of Advent

"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)   
                                                                                                   
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John1:14 (ESV)    

The Message translates John 1:14 as...the Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood... The Christmas season for Christians is all about God coming down in the form of a man and moving into our neighborhood. It is because of this that we can know God personally. It is because God was man that He understands our joys and our struggles and what makes Him different from every other god of every other religion.

As Christmas approaches our stress level goes up. There is so much to do, presents to still buy, decorations to hang, preparations to make, and it all seems to grow more overwhelming as the day gets closer and closer.

Isaiah gives us few of the names of Jesus. As you get busier why not take some time to focus on who Jesus really is? Wonderful counselor...give Him your stress and your worries. Mighty God...know that He alone can and will help you out in every situation. Everlasting Father...just like as children we could curl up in our dads lap, Jesus invites us to rest, to curl up in His lap and take time to just enjoy being with Him. Prince if Peace...He can bring peace to all those stressful situations that seem to occur at the holidays and rob us of our joy.

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas that goes beyond what is under the tree. God Himself loved us so much that He moved into our neighborhood. He wants this season to be a time of reflection on Him and celebration for what He has done for us. As Christians we have already received the greatest gift ever given...God Himself! Celebrate that today.

written by Tandy Adams, First UMC - McCamey

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