"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
and the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name 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,
upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to order it and establish it with judgment and justice
from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
(Isaiah 9:6, 7)
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For Unto Us A Child Is Born... |
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there we with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
So it was, when the angles had gone away from them into the heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:1-20)
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...And that is what Christmas is all about!
"But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel,
whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
(Micah 5:2)
Hundreds of years before the birth of the Savior, God left clear, written directions for where to find Him: Bethlehem. Micah speaks of both the birth of the Savior and of His future reign and rule in His second coming (vv. 3-5). In order for Joseph and Mary to be in that very place to fulfill this prophecy that unlocks a crucial chapter in the story of salvation, governments had to be overturned. In this Year of Divine Government, may the Lord's government of the soul be established in the hearts of all people, as we embrace the instruction and invitation the Lord has given us in His Word. May we not miss it as many have because of unbelief, but rather, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and trust in His perfect plans and purposes as He is working all things together for our good
and for His glory.
This Christmas may you unwrap all the beauty, joy, and love that the heavenly Father
has given to the world in the infinite perfections of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
And may you go forth into the New Year as the shepherds did that marvelous, majestic night two thousand years ago, who returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
(2 Corinthians 9:15)
Christmas blessings and joy!
In His wondrous love and marvelous grace ~
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Join us for the first 21 days of 2021!
The new prayer and fasting journey begins January 1st!
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Trumpet and Torch Ministries | P.O. Box 5933 Williamsburg, Virginia 23188 www.trumpetandtorch.org
Setting the World on Fire for Christ ~ One Heart at a Time!
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