A Child is Born!...Continued from page 1

Isaiah made the point, however, that no matter what comes to anybody in life, nothing can impede the abiding presence of God. This sagacious forth-teller of old wants us to realize that Messiah has an everlasting purpose and that purpose is embodied in this name. The name, “Everlasting Father,” is associated with God’s provision for His people. Thus, the lighting of the Candle of Provision on this Third Sunday of Advent. God’s provision brings us great joy and so in this name one may recognize an elation that forms one of the central themes for Advent.

One of the Hebrew names bestowed upon God is “Yahweh” or “Adonai El Olam” – “the Lord, Everlasting God.” The writer of Genesis made the observation that Abraham worshipped at Beersheba after making a treaty with Abimelech. The text in Gen. 21:33 notes that Abraham worshipped “the eternal Lord God.” In the second section of Isaiah, the Prophet calls Him the “Eternal God” in 40:28. In third section of Isaiah, the prophet declares that the Lord is a “Father” in 63:16 and 64:8. Jeremiah emphasizes that God desires to be a Father to His people in Jer. 3:19: “I have always wanted to treat you as my children and give you the best land, the most beautiful on earth. I wanted you to call me ‘Father’ and not turn from me.” Sadly, His children did turn from Him. In the New Testament, and especially in the Gospel of John, one can readily observe that God is viewed as a Father.

Messiah is constantly taking care of those who are related to Him. None of us can say we don’t want or need some sort of emotional care. We need the assurance of physical touch, an embrace, a word that will uplift, and one that reminds us that Another is there for us. Even though little children may lose a parent or parents in death, even though big children may lose a parent or parents in death, even though some children in this world grow up parent-less for whatever reason, God is there to provide.

And what He provides is surprising. He grants the provision of life, life that is abundantly full of everlasting meaning. If we should covet something in this Advent Season, if there is one thing we should really want this Christmas, it ought to be the provision of Everlasting Life.

 What do you want for Christmas?

 Lists tend to get longer each year for some. When Emily and Nicholas were small children, they would see something advertised on television. I can still hear wee little voices, “I’m getting that for Christmas.” There would be a dozen or so things they would be getting. Most of it they didn’t need, so they didn’t get most of it. Truth be known, I’m afraid most of us want too much of the wrong thing and not enough of the right thing. We exemplify this in how much we spend on ourselves.