Christmas Joy and Peace

As we reflect on the joy of the season I cannot help but reflect on the wonderful relationships we have been blessed to have with those across the world. The Kingdom of Joy has come and it is a kingdom that is meant to encompass the entire world! There are no geopolitical boundaries that keep God’s people from loving. There are no governments powerful enough, no armies mighty enough, no laws stringent enough, no force cruel enough to keep God’s people from tearing down the gates of death and the grave to speak out good news that the King of Peace reigns and invites all to join him in bringing love, peace, and justice to the earth.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends on either side of the world! May God fill you with his good blessings and may you come to know him more perfectly and may you be filled with the knowledge of him and his love. May light shine in our darkness and may the love of God change us into the image of the one who loved us enough to enter our world.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:2-7)