a child is born

Good morning friends,
We're getting very close to Christmas. Our Christmas Eve service at Laurelton, featuring the story of Christ's birth in lessons and Christmas carols is tomorrow night at 7pm. Come on over and bring a friend; it will be a lovely worship service. Our passage for today is the full version of our first lesson for Christmas Eve, as well as one of my favorite pieces from Handel's Messiah.

In this passage God speaking through Isaiah promises peace and an end to oppression. I love the image of combat boots and bloody robes being burned because the tools of war are no longer needed. This peace and justice, this new world comes into being because a child is born to us. Not just any child, but the child known as Prince of Peace. To us a child is born; to us a son is given. O come, o come Emmanuel.

God bless,
Sam

Isaiah 9:2-7

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.


6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.