For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Mary, an unmarried teenage virgin was visited by the angel Gabriel one day. He told her, “Favored one, the Lord is with you! You will conceive a son and name Him Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God!”(Luke 1)
We grew up in a military family. Dad was in the Air Force my whole life and we moved often. I remember the year we left Idaho at Christmas time. Dad got a Humanitarian assignment to New Hampshire because Gramps had cancer and needed family nearby. Normie was in the Army at the time so my two younger brothers, John and Steve, and I came up with the idea to give something of ours to each other. It was really special because though money was short, we were giving something we held valuable to each other.
Another Christmas, my youngest brother, John, sent a wonderful list to each of us. He had written down 50 memories from growing up! I read my lists the other day and they are so precious. John has the heart of the Reconciler, Jesus.
The Father gifted Himself to us in His Son, Jesus, the fullness of the Godhead. He did this in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. He gives the best gifts and He did it for all!
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
The word noel is short for Hebrew: NOrad EL, or born of God.
Mary carried Jesus in an earthen vessel; Jesus was born and died an earthen vessel (Fully God and fully Man), and rose again to reside in us…earthen vessels. What a great and glorious Treasure residing in us!
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:7,10)
Abba, the best and most precious gifts cost something of ourselves and You gave the best gift ever, Yourself. What glorious love! Jesus, our souls magnify You, Lord. You have done great things for us! Our Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Joy of our hearts, we praise You forever more. You are Perfect Peace, our Eternal Rock and our hearts desire is to glorify Your name. Lord, You wait for us to turn to You so we may know You and You show us Your love and compassion in Your total surrender to us. Abba may we surrender completely to You and Your plan. May we bear Your precious Name in honor and love and realness. May others see You in our eyes and choose You even as You have chosen all. Abba, We choose You, even as You, the faithful Lord, the Holy One of Israel, choose us. Thank You for the best Gift ever. How we love You! Amen and so be it.
(Hand drawn picture credit to my daughter, Gabriela.)
