Keep Your Eyes on the Child

The memories that you make with children are so sweet. You watch them grow up but those memories stay with you even when they are adults with children of their own. You look back on the child that they were. 

When my middle niece came to live with me at five, we developed a night time ritual. Part of it was rubbing her back and part of it was me reading the Bible to her until she fell asleep. We did this for a long time. Then when she got old enough to start reading, she wanted to do the reading. She would work her way around the hard words. Those are some of my most precious memories and I still see some of that child within her. 

Last week that memory was brought back to my mind. My cousin’s eight year old wanted us to read together. Going through some boxes of my aunt, there was a really old Bible. It had the most interesting introduction I have seen in a Bible. We started reading it together, then he decided he wanted to read it to me. His reading skills are amazing. He would sound out those really big words he had probably never read before almost perfectly. That short time together will always remain in my heart. I will always look back at him and see with him part of the child that he is now. 

As we are in the time of year where we look back at the birth of the Child, Jesus Christ, we can appreciate the prophecies of Isaiah, of the coming Messiah.

As we look at Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah tells the people of Judah that there will be a child born, a son will be given, although he was writing as if it were already accomplished. In describing Him he told them that the government would come down hard upon His shoulders. He gave some of the many names of this Child: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. That seems to me like an awful lot to put on the head of a tiny baby, a mere child, but then we know He was much more than a mere child! 

Isaiah revealed that this Child would have an ever increasing government. He would reign on the throne of David in peace of no end. He would be the one to re-establish David’s kingdom and bring order to it. He would situate it with judgment and with justice for ever and ever. The passion He would have for the Lord of hosts will cause this to be.

We can look back at history and see the birth of Jesus Christ and the difference He made in the world. Our challenge now is to have the same kind of anticipation for Christ’s second coming as the Jewish people had for His first coming. 

How can we apply this to our lives? This scripture tells of the awesomeness of Christ. Applying it to our lives might involve believing it enough to share it with others. Tell others of His first coming so they will be able to anticipate His second coming. 

My faith is strengthened through this scripture as it tells me that my Wonderful, Counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace will reign forever and will reign in peace throughout eternity. 

My Lord and my God, Your Love for this broken humanity is overwhelming. Thank You for sending Your Son as a vulnerable, tiny baby that had to grow up through childhood to adulthood. At this Christmas season, we thank You for the indescribable gift. As we look back at this Child, we are in wonder at Your love for us. 

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 “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (KJV)

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.”  John 1:1,2 (KJV)

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net

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