Reflections – 2015.12

A Social Commentary

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.  (Isaiah 9:2-7)

But Starbucks cups are red …

I suppose the good news is that Christians who complain about this have other more “holy” options – for example, Walmart is offering 7′ Inflatable Holy Family Nativity Scenes for only $77 …

It is possible that we would do better by excusing ourselves from red cup silliness and tacky Christian “witness” and taking some time as believers to read Isaiah again at this time of year and rejoicing that of the increase of the government of Jesus Christ there will be no end.   True joy to this world has come in the person of Jesus, who was born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, but who on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From this place He reigns, “from this time forth and forevermore” and from this place He will come to judge the living and the dead.  How marvelous is the grace of God that we are not judged as our sins deserve, but that in Christ we are forgiven, and have been brought into His glorious Kingdom.  Praise the Lord, whose zeal has accomplished this.