Prince of Peace
By Karen Brown
As I sit down to write this special edition Christmas blog, I struggle to decide what to talk about. I could talk about how much I love the cold weather Texas may or may not get. I could talk about the trees and decorations, the Hallmark Christmas movies, the songs, or the presents wrapped under the tree. I could even talk about what a joy it is to spend time with family this time of year. But then I started thinking about others.
There are those that are having a joyous Christmas this year. The whole family may be coming home for Christmas. Someone is getting the new iPhone they wanted. New parents get to share the joys of a first Christmas with their newborn child. Some are celebrating their first of many Christmases together. Others are spending their holiday on the beach with their loved ones. Many are having the best Christmas they’ve had yet.
But there are also those that are struggling this time of year. Those who will be spending this Christmas without a loved one for the first time. Those who have a family member serving overseas. Those who have family members who won’t make it home for one reason or another. Those who are alone for the holiday. Those who are hurting and are doing their best impression of The Grinch. Those who are struggling with depression, loneliness, or heartache. Those who are struggling to make it to the end of the season. Those who are lost, who worry about what present Santa is going to bring them instead of knowing the presence of our Lord.
Whatever side of the season we are on this year, let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas. Let us never forget that we have a Lord who became flesh to show us love and to die for us so we can have eternal life with him. Let us never forget that we have been given the greatest present we can ever receive. On December 26, when we start taking down trees and decorations, or are glad to be finally through the holiday, let us not forget that Jesus Christ is Lord, not just of this Christmas season, but year round.
And never forget that over 2000 years ago, whether you’ve been good or bad, had a wonderful year or a difficult year, a baby boy was born for you.
All of us at The Bucket Ministry wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. We leave you with these few verses from Isaiah 9:1-7, written 600 years before Christ’s birth:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
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 increase 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.”
