Reposting this old post by Jay Ferris, in light of the current season we are in…

“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.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah introduces this as “great light” to a people who had been living in darkness – which would be us. This “great light” comes to us in a number of ways: “a child,” “a son,” “a governor,” “a Wonderful Counselor,” “a Mighty God,” “an Everlasting Father,” and “a Prince of Peace.” All of this comes to us packaged in the first born of a new creation. It takes some time to open so many Christmas presents, to say nothing of coming into some intimacy with and understanding of them all.  In any given moment of eternity, brought to us by The Spirit of God, we may find ourselves with any one of those qualities or personalities wrapped in the flesh of another person.  In short, and in the now, Christ may give Himself to us in another person, as whatever we need at that moment.  We can learn more from having a child, for instance, than we can from going to college. I think you can figure out the rest.

It takes spiritual discernment to receive Christ or the things of Christ in another person.  It is a spiritual matter, and Jesus Christ is Lord of it all.

And so with Great gratitude in our hearts, we can say with Paul to those whom The Lord gives us: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”  1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20

Love!

“Relationships that come from God is like a perpetual Christmas! As long as we are willing and able to properly dispose of the wrappings we can go on opening the packages all life long.”