A post-Christmas post on a pre-Christmas ponder

In preparation for Christmas, I was reading in Isaiah 8 (leading up to Isaiah 9: one of the prophecies fulfilled in Jesus's birth) and when reading the following verses I stopped to ponder...

Isaiah 8:11-9:1

(13-14)“The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary…”

This implies a choice for us. To regard someone with a certain character trait means we have to focus on that, choose to see that person in that way – in line with truth. This goes beyond our feelings, but is anchored (and anchors us) in truth, in reality. The Lord Almighty isholy, and we are faced with the choice to regard him as that, to line up our thinking with truth. When I think about the word ‘regard’, I think of a lens through which we view others’ actions and words, how we see them.

Holy – I’m reminded of the verse later in Isaiah where God tells us that His ways are not like our ways, His are infinitely higher (55:8-9). Fear – I’ve often struggled with the frequent commands throughout God’s Word to ‘Fear God.’ Even as I think on it now, the verse “Perfect love casts out all fear” comes to mind, so maybe as we begin to love Him more, rightful fear is swallowed up in love. I was wrestling with the word ‘dread’ – God is deserving of a feeling of dread by sinful hearts, like Adam hid from Him in the Garden, dreading the conviction that comes with the light of His presence.

When we do regard Him as holy (view Him with an understanding of His character as He presents Himself to us), when we do fear Him (so that we do not fear the darkness, the false judges of our lives: our own feelings, others’ perceptions), when we do dread Him – then He will be our sanctuary: our place of safety, rest and security.

He is stronger than any of the world’s changing philosophies, than our ephemeral emotions, than the enemy’s strategies and schemings; Holy, Fearful, Dreaded keeps the enemy at bay and His child safe and held.

A thrill of hope - Christmas Eve

Since I can remember, I’ve deeply loved Christmas Eve, especially after everyone has gone to bed, and the house is quiet. Many Christmas Eves have found me listening to Christmas carols at the foot of a lighted Christmas tree. A quiet, holy blanket settles on my soul at this time – reminding me that in Jesus my every need, known and unknown, felt and yet unfelt, is fully met. 

This Christmas Eve is no different. The family has all gone to bed (as a matter of fact, Mia, our large dog, has settled herself onto my side of the bed…) – and I am here, soaking in the precious and wondrous truth that the God who set life in motion, who is still expanding the universe, reached out for me. 

Over the past couple of days, I've been pondering Isaiah 8 & 9. The second half of chapter 8 establishes that when we are not grounded in God, we are lost: in darkness, distress, despair, even cursing God, and seeing nothing good in heaven or earth. Then comes chapter 9: "Nevertheless.." I love how often God's word pivots on a word, and this time, it's nevertheless. Even though we were far, even though we said "No," even though we had declared ourselves His enemies - He said 'Nevertheless' and sends His Son, the Child, the Light, the Answer that we all so desperately need - whether we know it or not. And He is all: Counselor, Father, God, Prince of Peace.

Let me share what I hear with you, the words of one of my favourite Christmas carols, "O Holy Night": 

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 

Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope. The weary world rejoices.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. O hear the angel voices..."

And those voices resounded with "Good news of Great Joy that will be for all the people..." (Luke 2:10)