Advent - Day One - A Weary World Rejoices by Brittany Rust

For Advent this year, we will read A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust

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For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV

Isaiah gives a prophecy of the Savior who would come and reign on this earth. We get such a beautiful and powerful glimpse into this coming, and it was with eager expectation people looked forward to this moment. It was an event they longed for.

In this short passage, many things about the Messiah are described. 

A child would be born. 

The Messiah would be born to the people of Israel. A son made flesh. (Isaiah 7:14, a child would be born of a virgin and He would be named Immanuel, "God with us.").

The government would rest on His shoulders. He would rule over Israel and the world for all time. His authority would be established above all.

He would be to His people: A Wonderful Counselor - Intimately aware of the workings of God and every man's heart. He is the wisdom of God and speaks to mankind.

A Mighty God - Not only would He be a man but He would be fully God, mighty to save.

An Everlasting Father - He is the author of life and designer of the universe.

The Prince of Peace - He established peace both on the earth and in our hearts.

He would reign on the throne of David. Established from the line of David, once a king and a prophecy of His human lineage.

He would have the zeal of the Lord Almighty. The zeal of the Lord overcomes all things and all things depend on God.

There was a time when people heard this prophecy and held it dear, hoping and praying it would come soon. We get to experience this fulfillment on the other side and that's what Christmas is about—celebrating the coming that already took place. Celebrating the moment Christ entered the world to save humanity.

Are you ready to prepare your heart? Ready to celebrate Jesus?

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Prayer:

Father,

           As Advent begins, help us to prepare our hearts to receive Your greatest Gift. Let us not get caught up in the commercialism of the world, but to keep our hearts and minds focused on You. Help us to remember the hope that Your precious Son brought - and continues to bring - to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen