For Unto Us A Child Is Born

This is the time of year when I long to hear Handel's Messiah and reflect on God's goodness in sending a Saviour. (Aren't I lucky that we have modern technology and youtube?!) All around me is the crass commercialism of this high holy day, our Christmas! Many people who take the holidays off don't even know why!! How can that be? I realize that traditions passed down often get watered down to meaningless occasions, but this is a religious holiday. If you are a Christian this may be the biggest!

I always get overwhelmed with emotion when I think of how it all happened. I accept it whole-heartedly with a fascination as to how all of the details were foretold, came to pass and now here we are centuries later marveling in song as to God's very presence in our lives. Because if you accept the premise of the Christmas story you have Jesus still alive and involved intimately in your life. And it is more than just getting carried away by the beauty of the music, it is my very soul rejoicing with the angels. That is what listening to this is like for me!



For those who think of Christmas as just another break from school or work, I feel so sorry for you. You are missing the meaning of the most glorious event the world has ever known. It is not about presents, or food, or family gatherings, though those things highlight the importance of Christmas. Listen to Handel's words taken from Isaiah 9 verse 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 will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.