The world of corruption and political drama isn't new to our time. Long ago in the city of David, a young woman gave birth to a child who would change the course of history.
I was just reading Isaiah today and thinking about it how it was written as prophecy but we now live in a world where it has been fulfilled. Praise the Lord we can now read it differently. No future tense, no past tense - it is the here and now and forever.
Unto us a child was born, Unto us a Son was given; sovereign rule and providence is on His shoulder. And his name truly is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Jesus, Master. His kingdom reigns forever.
It is time I start living and believing like I am currently in His kingdom. His kingdom is full of peace and joy even in the suffering. I pray His blessings on all of you!
I have often thought about how brave they were. So young and yet they obeyed. Many must have thought the worst and said terrible things about them. But they believed. My prayer is that our faith and trust in Emmanuel will grow, especially as we realize that faith in our government is futile. This doesn’t mean that we don’t speak out and vote and do our part. It just means that every night, we lay our worries at the feet of Jesus and trust that whatever he is allowing is for the greater good even when we cannot see it. Merry Christmas.
Amen to this Aaron. Christmas will always serve as a course correction. Despite the reality He dwells within us. I, too, adore Madeleine L'Engle and her ability to cast wonderment into my heart.
As always, you find the right way to convey truths of the current cultural environment in a way that is relatable. We as Christians know how things will unfold in the future, and that is the struggle we have with doing our best to right the ship, even as we know that society is on a path that leads to major upheavals before things get better. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.
Aaron, I have been despairing and suffering health consequences of too much existential stress of the kind you describe, from living too much in the truther realm and not enough in the spiritual realm. As a Christian, this in-depth comparison of the times is very helpful to me right now and I will share and save for regular re-reading and reflection on where we need to keep our focus, in all times and circumstances. Thank you. 🙏
It’s easy to do isn’t it? I wish I was better at old lessons, but I’m not. So I’ll lean into the promises of Emanuel again and relearn it all over. Thanks for reading and merry Christmas.
Whew - I so appreciate your words because they confirm what has been weighing on my heart recently. The past five years have been an awakening, filled with rabbit hole chases and deep dives into politics, Hollywood, and the realization that the world we live has busted the paradigm of what I believed it was. I deeply feel as tho God is calling us back to focus directly on Him and leave the noise behind. Luckily for me, during the dives I had submersed myself into the bible as well, helping to confirm that there is nothing new under the sun. But as you described so eloquently, the promise of Emanuel is all we need. Be wise, but always prayerful and focused on the Great I Am.
It’s hard to keep up with all the craziness, but if I stay focused on all the troubles, then evil wins. I’ve been wrestling with what our role is in all of it, but I realized I can just be thankful that I can believe his goodness will carry the day.
Aaron, you presented the reason for Christmas so well. It is and was God’s greatest demonstration of His love for us. As my fingers are lifted, sometimes pried, one by one from the hope of an earthly solution for this fallen world, my eyes grow more fixed upon the bright and glorious hope of heaven, our eternity after this life. Prophecy has never been wrong. The church age is closing. May our fellow man seek the one who came as a baby, but didn’t stay in the manger. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones Aaron!
This was a gift to wake up to and read on this eve of Christmas. Your perspective is always grounding and your writing provides comfort. Thank you for your beautiful words, Aaron! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I was just reading Isaiah today and thinking about it how it was written as prophecy but we now live in a world where it has been fulfilled. Praise the Lord we can now read it differently. No future tense, no past tense - it is the here and now and forever.
Unto us a child was born, Unto us a Son was given; sovereign rule and providence is on His shoulder. And his name truly is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Jesus, Master. His kingdom reigns forever.
It is time I start living and believing like I am currently in His kingdom. His kingdom is full of peace and joy even in the suffering. I pray His blessings on all of you!
Merry Christmas - and that is a profound reality isn’t it? We live in a world where He dwells among us. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
“His name implies his offering. Emmanuel. With us. No hoarding of gold or silver or Bitcoin will ever be as good as what it is that Jesus offers.”
Yes. God with us. So grateful.
Beautiful and poignant post.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing the gift of your writing and research with us all year long.
I have often thought about how brave they were. So young and yet they obeyed. Many must have thought the worst and said terrible things about them. But they believed. My prayer is that our faith and trust in Emmanuel will grow, especially as we realize that faith in our government is futile. This doesn’t mean that we don’t speak out and vote and do our part. It just means that every night, we lay our worries at the feet of Jesus and trust that whatever he is allowing is for the greater good even when we cannot see it. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you too. It is quite a story!
Amen to this Aaron. Christmas will always serve as a course correction. Despite the reality He dwells within us. I, too, adore Madeleine L'Engle and her ability to cast wonderment into my heart.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. ox
Me too.
One of the best Christmas articles I have ever read !! So well done and encouraging that in the face of uncertainty we Emmanuel (God with us)
Thanks Bob! Wonderful to get to know you this year. Merry Christmas
As always, you find the right way to convey truths of the current cultural environment in a way that is relatable. We as Christians know how things will unfold in the future, and that is the struggle we have with doing our best to right the ship, even as we know that society is on a path that leads to major upheavals before things get better. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.
You too George. Thanks for reading and I pray blessings for you and your family too. Merry Christmas
Lovely stuff, Aaron!
Thanks for the positivity and evangelical courage.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas John! Blessings to you.
Aaron, I have been despairing and suffering health consequences of too much existential stress of the kind you describe, from living too much in the truther realm and not enough in the spiritual realm. As a Christian, this in-depth comparison of the times is very helpful to me right now and I will share and save for regular re-reading and reflection on where we need to keep our focus, in all times and circumstances. Thank you. 🙏
It’s easy to do isn’t it? I wish I was better at old lessons, but I’m not. So I’ll lean into the promises of Emanuel again and relearn it all over. Thanks for reading and merry Christmas.
Whew - I so appreciate your words because they confirm what has been weighing on my heart recently. The past five years have been an awakening, filled with rabbit hole chases and deep dives into politics, Hollywood, and the realization that the world we live has busted the paradigm of what I believed it was. I deeply feel as tho God is calling us back to focus directly on Him and leave the noise behind. Luckily for me, during the dives I had submersed myself into the bible as well, helping to confirm that there is nothing new under the sun. But as you described so eloquently, the promise of Emanuel is all we need. Be wise, but always prayerful and focused on the Great I Am.
It’s hard to keep up with all the craziness, but if I stay focused on all the troubles, then evil wins. I’ve been wrestling with what our role is in all of it, but I realized I can just be thankful that I can believe his goodness will carry the day.
Well said, amen!
So glad He’s in charge, the Leader, of us all.
This is beautiful, thank you! You are sharing the Good News of Great Joy, which is really your highest calling, and I am grateful.
Aaron, you presented the reason for Christmas so well. It is and was God’s greatest demonstration of His love for us. As my fingers are lifted, sometimes pried, one by one from the hope of an earthly solution for this fallen world, my eyes grow more fixed upon the bright and glorious hope of heaven, our eternity after this life. Prophecy has never been wrong. The church age is closing. May our fellow man seek the one who came as a baby, but didn’t stay in the manger. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones Aaron!
Beautiful- merry Christmas to you too! Blessings.
So richly blessed by this! Thank you Aaron and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
To you as well. Merry Christmas
Well said. Merry Christmas and a bright and blessed new year.
To you as well!
This was a gift to wake up to and read on this eve of Christmas. Your perspective is always grounding and your writing provides comfort. Thank you for your beautiful words, Aaron! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I’m glad it does. Merry Christmas and thank you for reading. I hope you have a lovely time this holiday.
Wow this was fantastic, thank you !
What a beautiful, meaningful Christmas gift you have given us !
Praise Him , He is indeed with us 🌞
Merry Christmas-blessings to you and yours, and yes the promise is so good!