Of The Increase of His Government & Peace…No End!

John Clardy

 
Isaiah 9:6-7

(6)  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Christmas has become a taxing time instead of a joyful time for many.  It seems the progression that many people go through during this celebration season is one of shopping, decorating and partying which is followed by a feeling of exhaustion and relief when it is finally over.  There is seemingly a constant flurry of activities that will leave many people saying afterward, “Christmas was good, but I am glad it is over!”

The commercialization of Christmas has shifted the focus of the season from things that are eternal to things that are temporal.  Instead of using the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves and our families with the true meaning of Christmas we have instead made it a time of merriment and materialism.  The result is that there is no refreshing and no renewal in Christmas for many, only happiness in it being over.

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson writes: “The season also imposes its tyranny on many of us. Instead of being able to give out of thoughtfulness and love, we often give because it is "expected". I heard of one couple who had 85 people they felt obligated to remember with a gift. No wonder the joy of giving falls away to a sort of panicked despair.”  

Have you heard the refrain of a certain song that laments the demise of celebration and good things?  Let me hum you a few bars.  “Turn out the lights the party’s over.  They say all good things must end…”

The real meaning of Christmas should constantly increase our awe and appreciation of God’s gift to us. The God of the universe allowed Himself to be placed in the womb of His own creation.  He came as a helpless, defenseless child!  The God of all power put Himself at the mercy of humanity!  He became vulnerable.  He did it so He could relate to you and me! It was the only way to save humanity!

Could this be the one that creation has longed for?  Is this the One that came to set all men free from bondage and oppression, both inwardly and outwardly?  YES!  As the angels proclaimed so long ago, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 

I have often thought about what it must have been like for God to go through the different stages of humanity!  Most people want to place God in a high and lofty place, which is proper in the sense of His deity.  He is to be exalted.  But as much as people seem to fear the mightiness of God, I wonder if they are more comfortable with that fear and reverence than they are with the humanity of God. 

But without the human side (a dear friend of mine refers to it as Jesus in dirty diapers) salvation would not have been possible.  The only way for us to become like Him was for Him to first become like us.  Imagine it!  Jesus nursing at a breast that He had formed in the womb of Mary’s mother!  Jesus learning to talk, Jesus learning to walk, playing, falling, fighting with friends and siblings.  Cuts, scrapes, bruises.  HORMONES, PIMPLES!!!  That is a side of Jesus that we are leery of taking more than an occasional or casual look at.  

What is this government? What is this peace? What is this mystery that a manger embraced?  What is this paradox that inserted into a stable unknown to all but a few shepherds, yet heralded by the angels of heaven? The King of Kings, born to parents in such poverty that they cannot even afford proper accommodations or clothing?  Royalty wrapped in rags!  Wonder of wonders!

Man made kingdoms will cease.  Man made governments will end!  Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom shall rise against kingdom, but God’s Government will never end!  The only decision we have to make is will His government continue to increase in our lives or not!

Christmas, the gift of “Emmanuel - God with Us” should never be over!  It should grow and radiate through every part of our being on a daily basis. I say “Turn on the lights!  The party has just started! This is one good thing that will never end!