Granted, it's July 25, but it is a good date to remember Christmas. It's Jesus' half Birthday! If you hadn't noticed, I have Christmas music playing on the blog. That is partially because my brother started this; he would play Christmas CDs randomly in the middle of the summer. I always thought it was a good idea but my mom made him turn them off right away. Then on the radio the other morning a lady called in and asked for a Christmas song to be played. The DJ actually played a song for her! And, a couple of mornings later he played another Christmas song! I was thrilled :)
Isaiah 9:1-7
1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—
2The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha
a light has dawned.
3You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,b Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
