For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV


I think Im going to start the blog this year with a look at this very well known verse from Isaiah as most of us will hear it repeatedly over the next few weeks.  For context, here is what comes before verse 6

9 [a]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 honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
4 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.

So, in summary, Isaiah describes a sea change in the story of God's people which is marked by a) light b) joy c) freedom d) peace

And why is this happening?

For

Because.

Because unto us a child is born.

Its interesting, and Ive only just noticed this, that the light, the joy and the freedom Isaiah describes are all already accomplished. The people have seen the light, you have increased their joy, you have shattered the yolk.....  But the peace seems to be in the future - the warriors boot and blood-soaked clothes will be burned, but not yet.

Right now that seems to be pertinent given whats going on in the world. 

This Advent lets embrace the light the joy and the freedom we already have and pray for the peace that the world does not yet fully have





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