Words to Enlighten And Brighten

On this Lord’s Day Sunday, with the air filled with Christmas sights and sounds, we cannot but be drawn into the singing of Christmas carols and suchlike. All around, in stores and shops, Christmas decorations are a sight to behold as creativity and colour are skilfully married to present dazzling, eye-catching sights. We are well aware of all the sales being offered on all kinds of items, successfully encouraging people to buy what they really need and what they really do not need.

In the midst of all of this, however, many have time to override the swiftness, busyness and bustle of the season and spend good time with our Lord and Saviour without whom, this Season would simply be another holiday season.

Today, on the beginning of this busy week for many people, I am sure, I invite you to use this time as together we don’t only acknowledge who our Jesus is and what He has done, but we acknowledge the simplicity and accuracy of His First Advent. Accuracy has been used, in the sense that God is never at fault and He never fails with His given prophecies. Long before the coming of the royal birth of King Jesus in Bethlehem, the City of David, where He was born of the Virgin Mary and was laid in a manger, Almighty, Creator, Sovereign God, had given prophecy.

I now bring to you prophecies from different places and different voices, asking Holy Spirit to grant each of us, all the grace and mercy we need, to receive all that we can receive from these prophecies. Yes, each of them is fulfilled prophecy, but whether each is fulfilled in our hearts and lives is another matter. May our Counsellor, Guide and Leader, take us into all truth, helping us in remembering, acknowledging and forever blessing the Hallowed Name of the Lord our God. How can we not, when we read these prophecies and of our God, see His perfect faithfulness, precise fulfilment and present fullness in Jesus? Never let the enemy deceive you, concerning fulfilled prophecy, saying that they are dead, because they have already been fulfilled. Jesus is prophecy fulfilled, but He is very much alive and working, because many still need to have Him born in them.

May the reading of these prophecies enlighten and brighten you, in faith, trust and hope.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. Jeremiah 23: 5

Is not Jesus the One and Only righteousness and the One and only King we have been given by God, through prophecy and now for us in Person? Jesus is with us, and whether we believe it or not, He is Ruler, not evil, and He is executing judgment and righteousness here on earth. Don’t we pray, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven? Thank You Father God, for King Jesus.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands in 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

We know that this is Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, has not just come to rule, but His kingdom shall have no end. This is most encouraging and it brightens dark areas in many, as the hope is given freedom to survive in Jesus. Thank You Father God, that Your Kingdom can be established in us here on earth.

For unto 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6

Do you know Jesus personally, by these illustrious Names? Is He your Wonderful Counsellor? Is He your Mighty God? Is He your, Everlasting Father? Is He your Prince of Peace?

Let’s close this offering with the solemnity of homage and perfect deference to King Jesus.