A child is born

by Deanna Etienne. Used by permission.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born,
       to us a son is given,
       and the government will be on his shoulders.
       And he will be called
       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Read it again, each word.

Read it again until you see something new that you hadn't seen before. Or perhaps you saw it the first time or one of the other numerous times you've read this passage. But I didn't see it until today.

"A child is born......he will be called ......Everlasting Father."

We read this nearly every Christmastime. Even so, I've never put the child and the father in the same sentence. It is very clearly stated here that this child is also THE Father. Jesus is also God. Of course I already knew that but I hadn't seen it so clearly said. There are passages that hint at it.

There is something so intriguing about this relationship. I guess mystery is a good word for it. How can we comprehend that Jesus is of God and is God? How can we understand that God would leave heaven to save sinners while we were still in our sinfulness - basking in our sinfulness - reveling in sin and arrogance? Practicing religion, not faith. Putting ritual above people. The things happening at the time Jesus came are still happening today. We are no better than the religious leaders at the time of Jesus.

We can't understand the mystery. It is too big for us. That is comforting. It means that God is too big to understand, therefore He is plenty big enough to fix what I mess up, cure what man can't cure, save the un-savable, love the unlovable and unloving. Thank God for the mystery and Thank God for Christmas in July.

Jesus, Child and Everlasting Father, Emmanuel. Amazing who You are! Grow my appreciation for Your bigness. Merry Christmas. Amen.

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