Monday
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Everlasting Father: A Promise of the Incarnation
Mike Hermanstorfer was clutching his pregnant wife's hand in a Colorado hospital on Christmas Eve when she stopped breathing. Mike’s wife, Tracy, went into cardiac arrest during labor. Doctors told him, "We're going to take your son out now. We have been unable to revive her so we have to do this now to save the baby," he recalled.
After the C-section, some of the team rushed his wife to the operating room while the others handed him his son. He cradled his newborn but his body was lifeless. The doctors feverishly worked to revive the baby as Mike held him. Soon he began to breathe, and not long after that, he learned his wife had inexplicably started breathing again.
Mike said, "My legs went out from underneath me. I had everything in the world taken from me, and in an hour and a half I had everything given to me." Mike credits "the hand of God." Tracy calls it her miracle birth. (Tim Smith)
The promise of God coming as a baby was the ultimate miracle birth. God heard the cries of His people and promised to come in the form of man so He could be born to die for man.
Reflection
How does the picture of childbirth help you understand the sacrifice Jesus made to leave heaven and come to earth for you?
Praise/prayer
Praise God for the miracle of childbirth and the miracle of the Incarnation. Ask God to help you remember that He is the greatest gift of Christmas.
Everlasting Father: A Promise of the Incarnation
Mike Hermanstorfer was clutching his pregnant wife's hand in a Colorado hospital on Christmas Eve when she stopped breathing. Mike’s wife, Tracy, went into cardiac arrest during labor. Doctors told him, "We're going to take your son out now. We have been unable to revive her so we have to do this now to save the baby," he recalled.
After the C-section, some of the team rushed his wife to the operating room while the others handed him his son. He cradled his newborn but his body was lifeless. The doctors feverishly worked to revive the baby as Mike held him. Soon he began to breathe, and not long after that, he learned his wife had inexplicably started breathing again.
Mike said, "My legs went out from underneath me. I had everything in the world taken from me, and in an hour and a half I had everything given to me." Mike credits "the hand of God." Tracy calls it her miracle birth. (Tim Smith)
The promise of God coming as a baby was the ultimate miracle birth. God heard the cries of His people and promised to come in the form of man so He could be born to die for man.
Reflection
How does the picture of childbirth help you understand the sacrifice Jesus made to leave heaven and come to earth for you?
Praise/prayer
Praise God for the miracle of childbirth and the miracle of the Incarnation. Ask God to help you remember that He is the greatest gift of Christmas.
Tuesday
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Everlasting Father: A Promise of a Son
When 72-year-old Randy Long was cleaning out his garage he came across some practice baseballs he used to toss around with his son and grandson. The senior took them to a local batting cage, where he left them along with a sentimental note that might just bring even the manliest of men to tears:
Hope someone can use some of these baseballs in the batting cages. I found them cleaning my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds. My son is now 46 y/o and my grandson is 23 y/o. I am 72 and what I won’t give to pitch a couple of buckets to them. They have both moved away. If you are a father cherish these times. You won’t believe how quickly they will be gone. God bless, P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you love them every chance you get. (Judy Cole)
The picture of Jesus coming as “a son” is meant to endear the intimacy of a good father-son relationship. It is a very real human picture of love and protection. While Jesus was a Son, He was the unique, only begotten Son of God.
Reflection
God sent Jesus as the Son of God to become the Son of Man. He was a gift. How does this gift compare to every other Christmas gift you have been given?
Praise/prayer
Praise God for the Father-Son relationship that He demonstrates for us. Ask God to help you love others the way the Father and the Son love each other.
Everlasting Father: A Promise of a Son
When 72-year-old Randy Long was cleaning out his garage he came across some practice baseballs he used to toss around with his son and grandson. The senior took them to a local batting cage, where he left them along with a sentimental note that might just bring even the manliest of men to tears:
Hope someone can use some of these baseballs in the batting cages. I found them cleaning my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds. My son is now 46 y/o and my grandson is 23 y/o. I am 72 and what I won’t give to pitch a couple of buckets to them. They have both moved away. If you are a father cherish these times. You won’t believe how quickly they will be gone. God bless, P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you love them every chance you get. (Judy Cole)
The picture of Jesus coming as “a son” is meant to endear the intimacy of a good father-son relationship. It is a very real human picture of love and protection. While Jesus was a Son, He was the unique, only begotten Son of God.
Reflection
God sent Jesus as the Son of God to become the Son of Man. He was a gift. How does this gift compare to every other Christmas gift you have been given?
Praise/prayer
Praise God for the Father-Son relationship that He demonstrates for us. Ask God to help you love others the way the Father and the Son love each other.
Wednesday
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Everlasting Father: A Picture of the Trinity
Ann Spivack writes, “While our friends from India traveled around California on business, they left their 11-year-old daughter with us. Curious about my going to church one Sunday morning, she decided to come along. When we returned home, my husband asked her what she thought of the service.
‘I don't understand why the West Coast isn't included too,’ she replied. When we inquired what she meant, she added, ‘You know, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the whole East Coast.’" (Ann Spivack, Reader's Digest.)
In Isaiah 9:6 the entire Trinity is at work. We see the Everlasting Father and the Son who is given. We can also see the power of the Holy Spirit at work to bring about Jesus’ birth at Christmas.
Reflection
What did Pastor Jim share in the sermon that encouraged you the most? What was the most challenging?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the beautiful way the Trinity works together. Take time to talk to each part of the Trinity in your prayer time today.
Everlasting Father: A Picture of the Trinity
Ann Spivack writes, “While our friends from India traveled around California on business, they left their 11-year-old daughter with us. Curious about my going to church one Sunday morning, she decided to come along. When we returned home, my husband asked her what she thought of the service.
‘I don't understand why the West Coast isn't included too,’ she replied. When we inquired what she meant, she added, ‘You know, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the whole East Coast.’" (Ann Spivack, Reader's Digest.)
In Isaiah 9:6 the entire Trinity is at work. We see the Everlasting Father and the Son who is given. We can also see the power of the Holy Spirit at work to bring about Jesus’ birth at Christmas.
Reflection
What did Pastor Jim share in the sermon that encouraged you the most? What was the most challenging?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the beautiful way the Trinity works together. Take time to talk to each part of the Trinity in your prayer time today.
Thursday
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Everlasting Father: A Portrait of Adoption
The process through which a person who does not belong to a given family is formally brought into it and made a full, legal family member with the rights and responsibilities of that position. The practice of adoption was not common among the Jews but was more widespread in the Greek and Roman world. The apostle Paul used the term to illustrate the truth that believers have been given the status of “sonship” in the heavenly family; they can call God “Father” (Rom. 3:15; Gal. 4:6). Adoption makes it clear that our sonship is given to us. (The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook)
We become children of God when God adopts us into His family. Adoption is a choice. No one accidentally adopts a child. It is a very intentional and intense process. You are God’s child because God wants you.
Reflection
How have you seen the process of adoption change the life of a child and a family? What difference has it made in your life to be adopted by God?
Praise/Prayer
Thank Jesus for doing the work to intentionally adopt you. Ask God to show you ways you can proudly wear the name “child of God.”
Everlasting Father: A Portrait of Adoption
The process through which a person who does not belong to a given family is formally brought into it and made a full, legal family member with the rights and responsibilities of that position. The practice of adoption was not common among the Jews but was more widespread in the Greek and Roman world. The apostle Paul used the term to illustrate the truth that believers have been given the status of “sonship” in the heavenly family; they can call God “Father” (Rom. 3:15; Gal. 4:6). Adoption makes it clear that our sonship is given to us. (The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook)
We become children of God when God adopts us into His family. Adoption is a choice. No one accidentally adopts a child. It is a very intentional and intense process. You are God’s child because God wants you.
Reflection
How have you seen the process of adoption change the life of a child and a family? What difference has it made in your life to be adopted by God?
Praise/Prayer
Thank Jesus for doing the work to intentionally adopt you. Ask God to show you ways you can proudly wear the name “child of God.”
Friday
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Everlasting Father: A Promise of Eternity
Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years." It didn’t take Isaiah that long to realize what a great Father God is.
Isaiah called Jesus the “Everlasting Father.” Ray Pritchard wrote, “In the Hebrew, the phrase is literally ‘the Father of Eternity.’ He is before, above, and beyond time. He is the possessor of eternity. He is eternally like a father to his people. This is not a statement about the Trinity but about the character of our Lord. All that a good father is, Jesus is to His people. Because He is like a father, he cares for his people. Because He owns eternity, He can give us eternal life. He is eternal God in the flesh and will always care for me as a father cares for his children.”
Reflection
For some of us “father” isn’t always the best analogy for a relationship. However, God intended for this to be a good model or resemblance of who He is. How has your earthly father helped shape your view of God?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the good things you learned about Him as a father from your earthly father. Thank God for being perfect in the areas where your earthly father was lacking.
Everlasting Father: A Promise of Eternity
Mark Twain said, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years." It didn’t take Isaiah that long to realize what a great Father God is.
Isaiah called Jesus the “Everlasting Father.” Ray Pritchard wrote, “In the Hebrew, the phrase is literally ‘the Father of Eternity.’ He is before, above, and beyond time. He is the possessor of eternity. He is eternally like a father to his people. This is not a statement about the Trinity but about the character of our Lord. All that a good father is, Jesus is to His people. Because He is like a father, he cares for his people. Because He owns eternity, He can give us eternal life. He is eternal God in the flesh and will always care for me as a father cares for his children.”
Reflection
For some of us “father” isn’t always the best analogy for a relationship. However, God intended for this to be a good model or resemblance of who He is. How has your earthly father helped shape your view of God?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the good things you learned about Him as a father from your earthly father. Thank God for being perfect in the areas where your earthly father was lacking.
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