Emmanuel Lutheran Church

December 17, 2011

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. Isaiah 9:6

Can you hear it? Do you recognize these words? Every time I read this verse, my mind tunes in to my favorite chorus from Handel’s Messiah, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…” Even though this work of art was created in 1741, it remains a clasic that isenjoyed by thousands every Christmas season.

Perhaps you have received a Christmas card that highlighted this verse, “For to us a Child is born.” Or maybe you remember reciting it in a Christmas service. Or you might have sung it in a performance of Handel’s Messiah. At any rate, this verse is at the heart of Christmas, as it should be. This is not just any birth announcement. It is the promise of a Savior born as a child for us. And the next part of the verse, “to us a son is given,” tells us that it is a gift for us. It is a gift for us that we do not deserve and have not earned. But it is for us, for you and me.

Isaiah speaks this announcement to an Old Testament people walking in darkness. Is there a darkness in your life this Christmas season? God meets the need of those in darkness by sending a child. Who but God would send a child? This child is the magnificent gift of God’s Son himself. He came in the flesh for us, to take our sins and sorrows upon himself, thus delivering us all from any darkness. So if grief or sorrow, illness or worry, of any kind is plaguing you this season, rest yourself on Christ’s shoulders. Can you picture yourself being carried by him? “… and the  government will be on his shoulders.” Contrary to the customs of the world in that day, where servants had to carry their kings on their shoulders, Christ carries us and all our sins on his shoulders. He came for us.

How will this child be called? He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These names explain how Christ will carry us on his shoulders. We are given the benefit of having a Wonderful Counselor who with his wisdom knows all of our needs and how to meet them for us. We have the power of a Mighty God for us. The care of an Everlasting Father will always be there for us. He has come to bring peace for us, and it is in him that we find peace.

It is all a gift for us. When you hear this verse spoken or sung this Christmas, dwell on the fact that this Christ Child was born for us.

Linda Fremder

Room in the Inn?

The litany for Las Posadas, usually sung, is a series of exchanges that wear the innkeeper down until he realizes who is outside his door and eagerly offers his humble manger. The brief version  below comes from the Litany of Loretto.

Innkeeper: Who knocks at my door, so late in the night?

Joseph: We are pilgrims, without shelter, and we want only a place to rest.

Innkeeper: Go somewhere else and disturb me not again.

Joseph: But the night is very cold. We have come from afar, and are very tired.

Innkeeper: But who are you? I know you not.

Joseph: I am Joseph of Nazareth, a carpenter; with me is Mary, my wife, who will be mother of the Son of God.

Innkeeper: Come into my humble home and welcome! May the Lord give shelter to my soul when I leave this world!