“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:7-10
The appointed Old Testament reading for this Christmas Day is from the 52nd Chapter of Isaiah and speaks of the coming Savior and the comfort and peace that He will bring to us. When this passage was written the people of Israel were displaced from their homes and were in bondage because of their disobedience. Their situation sounds familiar to me, as today, many around our fallen world are living lives that are separated from our Heavenly home and seemingly headed farther away from the Truth. I found this old photo of my grandpa Brinkmeyer (back row, second from left) and his siblings way back in the day. I wonder what Christmas was like in their day and where thoughts were headed.
I heard a favorite Christmas song on Alexa recently, ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ and its lyrics reminded me of where we should all long to be. “I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love even more then I usually do, and although I know it's a long road back; I promise you I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me.” We have heard the messenger and we shout for joy, just like the watchman; we rejoice knowing that the King is Alive, the Lord lives, reigns and brings peace to the entire world. The Savior of this world came to bring salvation to all who repent of their sins and call upon His Holy name. We rejoice for God is here, and peace has come!
“Christmas Eve will find me where the love light beams. I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams.”
I am hopeful that many of the members of my family in the attached photo are in Heaven today, and for me, I will spend another Christmas here on Earth, waiting and dreaming of a time when Christmas will be spent in Heaven with them..and you. Merry Christmas.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay