by Elizabeth Haarberg

Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“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 Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus’ birth 700 years before Jesus made His appearance on Earth. That’s a long time to wait! Isaiah had been dead a very long time before the prophesy was verified.

Even the name given to Jesus when He came to Earth, Immanuel, means “God (is) with us.” For thousands of years before Jesus came to Earth, God had been showing the world signs and wonders, Jesus had been prophesied to come to Earth, the Holy Spirit would give power throughout the Old Testament. Even with all the warnings people couldn’t understand when Jesus was here on Earth that it was actually He.

This may be why it’s easier for children to believe, they don’t doubt. As adults, since the Garden of Eden, people have rationalized why they can’t believe or trust God and have been looking for a substitute.

His birth and death changed the game forever for the world. He came to die and tear the veil. He came to show us what is really possible on Earth and to provide a way for Heaven to land on Earth, now. His model was and is revolutionary. There is no one that can compare to the Earth shattering way He moved through the world. He is the solution for the original curse.

The only one who can keep Jesus from affecting our lives is us. He has laid all the groundwork, all we have to do is say yes.

Jesus is the reason for the season because He created the season. Merry Christmas!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.