On Saturday, December 14th, 2013, I attended the Boston Baroque 40th anniversary event held at the New England Conservatory of Music. The choir and Orchestra performed a rendition of Beethoven Handel’s Messiah. The rendition was beautiful and moving.
I didn’t drive to the event because of inclement weather. During the performance people were completely silent; some propelled their bodies as an indication that they reverenced the words that were sung. I was totally calm and relaxed. During intermission, people were discussing the show: commenting about the individual singers, while others were busy returning to their seats.
I failed to call a taxi ahead of time because I was so engrossed in the music. As a result, I waited for over an hour for a taxi and when one did not show, I hesitantly called my husband to help me, who by then, was fast asleep. Returning home was literally trying. We encountered cars sliding to the curbs and spinning around in the middle of the street. We arrived safely home. I finally fell asleep about 1:00 am. My frustration getting home was overshadowed by the perfect joy, hope, and peace which filled my soul; I could hear the Scriptural songs that were still lingering and were ringing in my ears.
Included in the songs were the words taken from the book of Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the Government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called: Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the prince of peace.”
You and I should experience joy in knowing that Jesus is called “Wonderful” and reverence this quality of Jesus, which is an expression of his goodness and his care toward all of us (Psalm 107:8). In Psalm 139:6 the word “wonderful” refers to God’s knowledge which is beyond our understanding.
We should have hope because Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is our Counselor. He knows all things and will guide us throughout our lives (Psalm 32:8). God counsels us in various ways, even through His word. In Psalm 119:24, King David regarded the testimonies of the Lord as his counselors. Additionally, the Lord is our Mighty God; He is our warrior, the One who fights and wins all our battles. Throughout the Bible, we see the Lord interceding powerfully on behalf of his people in (Daniel 9:15; Psalm 50:1; Ezra 7:28; Joshua 4:24; Hebrews 11:29).
Our lives should be filled with awe when we meditate on Jesus as the “Everlasting Father”- the One who is from the beginning, who left his home in glory, who commands everything from heaven, and who God sent to be born among us (John 1:1-4). Everything comes from Him and in Him everything exists (Colossians 1:16-17). Because Jesus is the prince of peace, we should be comforted in knowing that He orchestrates our lives. We no longer have to live with unbelief but live a life of faith depending on Him, the God who has given us peace (Galatians 1:3; Philippians 1:2).
I want to encourage you this Holiday Season to think about the reason for the Season. Consider how much God loves you and me. Let us forgive and forget the past; renew our minds; and live the abundant lives that God has prepared for us through His Son Jesus. Let us celebrate Jesus’ birth for it signifies joy, hope, and peace that can be found only in Him.
May God bless you this Christmas and Holiday Season.
Joan M. Blake
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