Isaiah 9:2-7

I ran across this recently and thought it would be appropriate to share this afternoon.

How you can tell when it's going to be a rotten day:

You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold.

You see a "60 Minutes" news team waiting in your office.

Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles.

You turn on the news and they're showing emergency routes out of the city.

Your twin sister forgot your birthday.

Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell's Angels on the freeway.

The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard.

Your income tax check bounces.

I realize that this may seem a little out of place. Here we are celebrating Christmas. But the more I experience Christmas - and the more I hear where people are at - I realize that Christmas is a time of great contrast. On one hand there is all the celebration - and the food - and the warm fuzzy feelings.

On the other hand Christmas - for many - is not the joyful event we see on T.V. On the way down here there were cars ahead of me going 45 - 50 mph in the fast lane and cars behind me trying to do 90. And if you’ve tried to go shopping lately you may have noticed that the “Christmas spirit” - peace on earth and good will to men - hasn’t really hit the malls yet. Holidays are hard - and people are really pushed out of shape and its easy to feel like we’re rushing to to finish line and someplace along the way we’re suppose to enjoy ourselves.

And for many people there is so much emptiness and loneliness - empty chairs at family gatherings - and memories of past Christmases - time passing in our lives. There’s a sense of being out of place - out of touch with all the warm fuzzy feelings that everyone else is having - and we are suppose to have.

In 1835 a man visited a doctor in Florence, Italy, He was filled with anxiety and exhausted from lack of sleep. He couldn’t eat, and he avoided his friends. The doctor examined him and found that he was in prime physical condition.

Concluding that his patient need to have a good time, the physician told him about a circus in town and its star performer, a clown named Grimaldi. Night after night he had the people rolling in the aisles. “You must go and see him,” the doctor advised. “Grimaldi is the world’s funniest clown. He’ll make you laugh and cure your sadness.”

“No,” replied the despairing man, “he can’t help me. You see, I am Grimaldi!”

So many of us are like that - we feel this too often - like outside we are supposed to be one way - and inside we’re tired - rushed - empty - and trying to keep our feelings in check.

This afternoon I would like to share a few familiar verses from Isaiah chapter 9 with you. Because they give us all an occasion for hope and motivation to celebrate the birth Jesus.

The prophet Isaiah writes: The people who walk in darkness will see a great light - and that is certainly all of us at one time or another - needing light - Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Thou - God - shalt multiply the nation, Thou shalt increase their gladness; they will be glad in Thy presence as with the gladness of harvest - harvest, a sign of abundance, blessing, hope, promise - 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, Almighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:2,3,6,7)

Isaiah is speaking prophetically of Jesus - The Wonderful Counselor who gives perfect divine counsel - wisdom - applying it lovingly to our circumstances - the Almighty God who is an immovable fortress into which we can run and be safe - The Eternal Father who is tender, faithful, wise, loving us forever with a fatherly love - and, the Prince of Peace who is the only means of peace that this world is groaning for - true lasting peace in our hearts - minds - and souls. Jesus who comes to uphold true eternal justice and righteousness.

One day, the great preacher and evangelist C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they walked, Spurgeon noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.”

“I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles.” replied his friend. “You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth - regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”

The birth of Jesus is the reality of God’s consistent undeserved love towards us. And I think that when we can each begin to grasp how much God loves us - each of us as we are - then we can begin to realize that we are not alone and in whatever circumstance we are in God will be with us.

God knows what you have on your heart today. And maybe this afternoon these words are for you - “God loves you.” Maybe you know someone who is struggling - and they could really appreciate hearing these words, “Jesus came - God loves you.” This group has shared this message with countless children - through physical means to tell them “God loves you.” There are so many who need to hear this message - who live within the shell of Christmas - the songs and gifts and gatherings - and don’t know the tremendous reality of Christmas.

Jesus is the light which can break into our darkness - and He desires so much to counsel us - to be our refuge - to pour out His love - to bring His peace. What a tremendous reality is the birth of Jesus Christ. And all He asks is that we will trust Him.