These poinsettias are growing everywhere around us these days. Our friends here in the Northeast call them Christmas flowers.
It's Christmas evening and it has been a day well spent. Houser has had a stomach flu for the past few days and so today we decided just to hang out and celebrate our first Christmas together.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7
This is a famous Christmas passage and I love it. It's priceless because it talks about the promise of Jesus and parts of His character and purpose. Of the increase of His kingdom there will be no end. His kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy. He truly came that we might be with Him forever. That we might behold His glory and dwell with Him in love, and completely whole. I love the last part.." the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this." What is the 'zeal of the Lord of Hosts'? It surely seems something worthy of contemplation. He will not rest or be silent until He has fulfilled the purposes of His heart. In the gospels it is said of Jesus "Zeal for His house consumed Him." What is it to be consumed with zeal? If we could only glimpse more fully the love that is in His heart towards us. He is the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world; With one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. So today on Christmas we remember Him. We remember His love, we remember His life, death, and resurrection. He has overcome sickness, sin, even death. We will be with Him forever and He will rule with justice, humility and truth. He is the King of all Kings, and He is good, there is no deceit or evil in him at all. 'Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end...'
I had never seen any of the Godfather movies and Houser really wanted me to see them. We were watching the second one today and I was thinking this Michael Corleone is the opposite of Jesus. I wouldn't trust him to be my leader. He wouldn't even forgive his own brother. The way he ran his "kingdom" was full of injustice and vengeance. He tried to win the respect and admiration of men through fear, and advanced his family and kingdom through murder and deceit. Love and trust can't be won this way. It made me think about how brilliant God is and how beautiful His heart is. That He would send His son in such a humble way and that He would live amongst us and suffer that we might know Him. The beauty of giving us the choice and will to choose to receive His love and give our own. His leadership and ways are pure, and trustworthy. He possesses all power and beauty, yet He came so low to win our affection.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
