For Unto Us a Child is Born...

This morning, I woke up with a heavy heart, burdened with all the things I've been saying are not important...all the worldly demands of the Christmas preparations. The busyness...wondering if we're giving our kids enough stuff...the same stuff I tell them isn't important. "Jesus is what matters", I say. And, yet...there I was letting the stuff matter.

My heavy heart wandered, not just to the silly worldly concerns, but to deeper hurts and disappointments. Those missing someone they love. Families struggling with finances. Broken families. Broken hearts. Those with health concerns. All the imperfections in our Christmas "picture". All the noise threatened to overshadow the quiet hope and peace of the miracle of His birth.

I opened my bible and this was the beginning of the first verse in today's devotion (Isaiah 9:1-7):
Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed... (Is. 9:1a)

I read on...
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. (Is. 9:2)

And then...
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.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There shall be no end. (Is. 9:6)

His peace washed over me once more, and the things of this earth grew "strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

Just like the song says:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of this earth,
Will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.