For to Us a Child is Born

Well, I can hardly believe it’s nearly the end of the year and the festive season is upon us.

Firstly, I apologise for not having had much time to write in the past month. It’s been full of activity, from Global Day of Worship to finishing up work before the holidays to preparing for a mission trip. I’m about to fly out to Singapore today and I’ve finally found a moment!

Secondly, I wish all of you a merry Christmas! Amidst all the food, gifts and festivities, let’s never lose sight of the reason for our celebrating.

I remember a few years back when our church was doing a 24 hour non-stop cover-to-cover Bible reading. The idea was that people would take turns to read the Bible out-loud. It took us about 3 days to complete the exercise. I would come in at various times to the church to read a portion or to just stay and soak in the Word.

I remember reading Isaiah 9:

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.

I love this passage, because one of my theme verses is Acts 16 which talks about the restoration of the fallen tent of David. It’s not just about a tabernacle, although Jesus became the living Tabernacle of David and dwelt amongst men, but the phrase “tent of David” could also be interpreted “line of David”, or the “lineage of David”.

I then came back later in the day to read another passage, Matthew 1. Starting from Abraham, it traced the ancestry of David and ended with Jesus, the Messiah.  I remember tearing as I read that, seeing how even during that weekend, God showed me so clearly how Jesus was the fulfillment of all the hopes of the Jewish nation first, and also for all of mankind.

So during this Christmas season, let’s remember the reason for our worship.  We are now in 2012 AD (anno domini or the year of our Lord). It’s been 2012 years of Jubilee! Let’s come before Jesus our Messiah with grateful hearts!

I’ll leave you today with one of my favourite Christmas songs: We are the Reason!  God bless!