God Speaking

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire”

(Isaiah 55:11)

As I was walking through a busy shopping mall this week I was over whelmed by how the shops had been transformed by glitter, gaudy decorations, and Christmas trees loaded with toys, fake snow and at one corner a huge chair with Santa Clause waiting to greet a long line of little children. I was quite saddened by this display and was thinking of the simplicity of that first Christmas, and who was the reason that the angels sang so gloriously, and shepherds fell to their knees, had He been forgotten in this crazy shopping frenzy? But suddenly as I was still feeling downcast I suddenly realised what was playing over the mall loud speaker system, that beautiful Christmas carol, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. My mood lifted immediately as I realised that nothing can ever silence that incredible good news and I too sang along with the mall music rejoicing;

Hark the herald angels sing,

Glory to the new born king.

Since then I have started to listen more carefully and over and over again I hear the familiar carols, written so lovingly by devoted Christians proclaiming the good news for all mankind. Then I began to notice the other gentle reminders that far outshine the loud cries of the secular world, “come and buy, eat, drink and be merry’” these gentle reminders came in all different ways. I watched as the local church erected the life size figures of Joseph and Mary and how lovingly they were placing the animals and the angels, the crib remaining empty until Christmas day. I shared a special moment with another shopper looking for Christian-based Christmas cards as we both noticed each other searching for those special ones when she pressed into my hand a beautiful box of cards and said, “These have beautiful scripture verses inside.” and we both smiled at each other recognising we were both believers in that true meaning of Christmas.

I was then reminded how God spoke through the prophet, Isaiah proclaiming that his word would accomplish all that he desired.

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire…” (Isaiah 55:11)

We know that little Christ Child became that Word.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Jesus himself has promised that any opposition to the wonderful message that a Saviour who is Christ, has been born, will never succeed.

“…and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

So this Christmas we can be sure that above any clamour the world can produce, joyous out pouring of the good news for all mankind will be heard, and we can rejoice with the angels and sing loudly and clearly the true message of Christmas.

“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)