I wrote this in 2013-the last Christmas my family circle would be unbroken. Now the longing hope Israel felt is so much stronger in my own heart.
Hope is what I hold onto.
It’s my lifeline.
Twenty-five days to ponder the coming of God’s great Gift. We know the end of the story which can make us jaded and impatient. If for a moment we can recapture the desperate hope that was in the heart of Israel longing for Messiah and then in the next remember that He has come, we will be forever changed.
For the next twenty-five days I will be publishing two posts-a regular post like always AND an advent post for those who would like to follow along. If your heart is too tender to join in, feel free to skip this second post.
But if you think you can bear to hear just a little truth, to swallow just a tiny morsel of the Bread of Life, then stick around.
I hope this helps at least one heart to hold on. ❤
Jesus was promised from the beginning.
He is the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.”
I don’t understand it.
But I believe it.
His Birth Foretold
Isaiah 9: 2-7
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He’ll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
The Message (MSG)
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Thank you!!
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You are welcome. I pray that the Father makes Himself known to you in a special way this Christmas. ❤
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I look forward to your advent postings, Melanie. Thank you and God bless you.
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This season when we focus on waiting in the dark for the Light of the World is more precious to me now than before. I pray that all of us waiting moms and dads are strengthened as we walk together through the Word and embrace the promise that night has limits, death is defeated and the Love and Light of Christ will rule and reign.
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This morning I read and re-read this message. I have to admit that I had never read that before in the Bible. My baby girl went to be with the angels in 2002. I dealt with it in many different ways. For years I hated God and blamed him. When my husband died in 2014, I was mad at God but also I thanked God for not making him suffer with his illness as others in the family had. When my cousin’s son passed this year, his wife found you and was telling us about your messages. I felt like I had to read them. I save them and read them over and then I realize that if is like you are talking just to me. Now I look forward to reading them everyday and have also passed your site on to other family members who have lost not just children, but other members of their family and friends. Here I am rambling, but I just wanted to thank you for your wisdom and words. Thank you for helping me to heal as you are healing yourself. No the pain does not go away…but with time it does get to where I can at least start to be the person that I know they would want me to be. Thank you so much and God Bless.
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