From Isaiah to You Merry Christmas Counting the Days Till Jesus Comes

 

From Isaiah to You Merry Christmas

Counting the Days Till Jesus Comes

 

Christmas can be hard to wait for

Seeing presents under the tree excites us all

We teach our children how to count the days on an “Advent Calendar”

Each day on the calendar is opened to find a treat to help sweeten up the day

Until the time Christmas Day arrives 

When I read these words of Isaiah

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given Isaiah 9:6

I feel like a little child looking impatiently at the calendar  

 Waiting for Christ's return seems to be an eternity

Peter tells us how to look forward

A 1000 years are as a day with the Lord 2 Peter 3:8

We can speed His coming again 2 Peter 3:8

Be looking forward to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him 2Peter 3:14

To bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation,… 2 Peter 3: 15

You and I like little children, need to open each day of the Advent Calendar

Find the sweet treat each day in His Word and Prayer

Who knows maybe today you will see a loved one find salvation in Christ

As you wait for the coming of the King of Kings

 

 

Counting the Days Till Jesus Comes

 

Christmas can be hard to wait for.

 

Seeing presents under the tree,

 excites us all.

 

We teach our children how to count the

days on an “Advent Calendar” .

 

 The Advent Calendar was first used by German

Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries.

 

 

Each day, on the calendar, is opened to find

a treat to help sweeten up the day

until the time Christmas Day arrives.

 

When I read these words of Isaiah…

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given

 Isaiah 9:6

 

I feel like a little child looking

impatiently at the calendar.

   

It takes 9 months to have a child…

 

 Then you have to wait for the child to grow up.

 

When you look at the age men became

kings in Israel and Judah, they

were around 20 years of age.

 

But the time line is much longer than that.

 

Isaiah lived some 700 years

before Christ was born.

 

The Jews thought when the Messiah was born,

 He would become King and rule over Israel.

 

 Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of His coming.

 

Those of us who have submitted to His government…

 

 Have found a wonderful change in our lives.

 

But sadly, we still live in a

world of sinners and God haters.

 

Jesus preached a message of “the kingdom was near”.

 

It has been over 2000 years since

 Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled…

   

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.

 

I realize I am so much like a child…

 

 Impatiently wanting to see the fulfillment of praying…

 

Thy Kingdom come thy will be

done in earth as it is in heaven.

 

Like a little child I have to

learn how to read a calendar.

 

Peter reminds us to look at God’s calendar…

 

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,

 that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years,

and a thousand years as one day .

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering to us-ward,

 not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV  

 

Moses understood God’s calendar as he

watched a whole generation die in the wilder-

ness before crossing into the Promise Land.

 

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn men back to dust,

saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

For a thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

Psalms 90:2-4

 

Peter reminds us the day is coming…

 

 And what we need to do until He

arrives and sets up His Kingdom.

 

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.

The heavens will disappear with a roar;

 the elements will be destroyed by fire,

and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  

Since everything will be destroyed in this way,

what kind of people ought you to be?

You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you

look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

2 Peter 3:10-12

 

In the eyes of a child like me…

 

 Waiting for Christmas seems to be an eternity.

 

But I need to be reminded that

 we can speed His coming again.

 

Peter tells us how to look forward…

 

But in keeping with his promise we are looking

forward to a new heaven and a new earth,

the home of righteousness.

So then, dear friends,

 since you are looking forward to this,

make every effort to be found spotless,

blameless and at peace with him.

 

And…

 

Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation,…

2 Peter 3:12-15

 

You and I like little children…

 

 Need to open each day of the Advent Calendar.

 

Find the sweet treat each

day in His Word and Prayer.

 

Who knows…

 

 Maybe today you will see s loved one

find salvation in Christ as you wait

for the coming of the King of Kings.

 

 

Scripture Reading

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

 

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.