I probably shouldn’t be writing a blog this morning. God knows I have a million things to do. And who will read it anyway, because everyone else has a million things to do too. I’m writing because I can’t stop thinking, and it will make me crazy until I spill a few thoughts on paper.
For me, this Christmas season has been busier than usual. First, I led worship at a ladies’ retreat in November, and then the following weekend, I met up with my songwriting family in the mountains to write for a few days. The following weekend was Thanksgiving, and then the next, I directed a Kids’ Christmas program. Also, during this time, we recorded several episodes and launched “Reach Church Real People Podcast,” and then it was time for our Candlelight service. Although this service is beautiful, much time, attention, and hard work are required. And, of course, there have been Christmas parties. So every single bit of it has been fantastic…and exhausting. But I’m not complaining because all of these opportunities are answers to my prayers.
This season has been busy and different. That’s good, though. I’ve had more time to think. Studying for our podcast has been a blessing. I’ve enjoyed reading passages from Isaiah. I’ve also been reading from a new translation, the NRSVUE, which has pulled me from the familiar, causing me to listen to the prophecies of the birth of Christ freshly.
The passage I’ve thought about over and over is found in Isaiah 9. I’m sure most of us have it memorized. “For unto us a child is born,” but I love the wording in the NRSVUE. It says, “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;” Hmm… For us…To us…. Every time I sit with those little words “for” and “to,” I get teary. WHAT.A.GIFT! Jesus was born for us. He was born for us so that He could address our sin problem. He was born for us so that He could reconcile us to God. He was born for us so that He could redeem and save us. A child was born for us. Beautiful. And that’s not all. “A son is given TO us. That’s a game-changer, isn’t it? So, Jesus is given TO us…as in He is ours? I mean, I knew that, but when I think of receiving a gift, that typically means for me to use it in some way. I mean…I knew that too. He is my portion… But, this person given TO us is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He is mine and yours. I mean…I knew that too, but just reading it as a child born for us and given to us reminded me of how priceless, precious and amazing the Gift of Christ truly is…and He is ours.
I read an article earlier this year that has been swirling in my head for a while and honestly hasn’t theologically landed and taken root in my head yet. Maybe it’s because I tend to be skeptical. After all, I didn’t know the source I was reading from. Perhaps it’s because it sounds too good to be true. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had time to sit still and think long enough or read more. Perhaps it’s because thinking about the Trinity, in general, makes my head explode. There were lots of maybes, but the line I can’t forget was something like, “God loved us so much He gave us 1/3 of the Godhead.” I’ll let you sit with that statement and come up with your thoughts, but when I read Isaiah 9:6 in the NRSVUE, that statement I read months ago rushed in and connected to “A Son given to us.”
Honestly, my next thoughts were, why do we struggle so much if He is mine/ours? Is it because I’m not making good use of Him? I don’t even like how that sounds. It makes me cry. I don’t want to “use” Jesus in any way, shape, or form. But isn’t that what He is offering? Isn’t He offering Himself to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? Isn’t He asking us to receive Him and to share Him with others? Isn’t He offering us a place in His Kingdom where there is “Endless Peace,” as the NRSVUE says, or a Kingdom where there are “no limits to His wholeness,” as the Message puts it?
Well, those are my thoughts this week of Christmas. What a generous God we have. He has given Jesus for us and to us. I pray that we receive Him in His fullness and share the good news of this beautiful gift available to all who will receive Him. As much as it makes me squirm, let’s make good use of Him! That’s why He was given for us and to us. Who would ever leave a beautiful, wrapped gift unopened under the tree? Maybe it sounds better to say, “Will you receive Him?” But we’ve heard that a million times. He is ours for the taking-not just for our benefit and glory, but to usher in and advance His Kingdom of Grace, Peace, Mercy, and Love. What a gift. Take Him and run. Run to the world with the glorious good News! Merry Christmas!
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