OzThoughts – Friday 13th November 2009

OzThoughts – Friday 13th November 2009

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

It seems just too early. The stage area at our local shopping centre is all decorated and the great chair for Santa is in place. Signs around the shopping centre say that tomorrow (Saturday) Santa will arrive. I imagine his arrival will excite hundreds of children and their parents who come to see him. Preparations are well underway all over town for this exciting season. I saw that one lady boasted or was it a sigh of relief that she had finished her Christmas shopping.

Scriptures make it quite clear that God prepared for the first Christmas long, long before it happened. Many find pointers to that first Christmas even before the familiar words of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9: 6,7. (The Message)

6For a child has been born--for us!
the gift of a son--for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counsellor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
7His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_071.mp3 ]

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.

Chorus
Sweet chiming bells, O how they ring
To welcome Christ, the new-born King;
Sweet chiming bells, O how they ring
To welcome Christ, the King.

All they people's consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now thy gracious Kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88) (verses)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 79

Prayer:

Father, God. In the business and busy-ness of this approaching season, may I not be too busy to meditate upon your Word and worship you. May I find time and willingness to prepare my life for a personal spiritual renewal in this Season celebrating Jesus. Amen.

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