Christmastime is here!  I really believe, as the song goes - it is the most wonderful time of the year.  Everyone seems happier and kinder.  There’s an excitement in the air.  And whether the world realizes it or not - we are celebrating the most extravagant gift ever given to humankind from the God that reigns over all.  An extravagant gift of a Savior. An extravagant expression of love by a Father.
 
Let’s look at the familiar Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 9:
 
For unto us a child is born,a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor Dave for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (v. 6,7)
 
These words from the prophet Isaiah were fulfilled in the birth of Messiah, Jesus Christ the Son of God.  In one night - a few seconds, history and mankind changed forever.  God became flesh, making a way for each person to intimately know the Creator of the universe, and to have a relationship with Him.  This salvation is worth praising and rejoicing in the Lord just as the angels did more than 2000 years ago, continuing to worship Him now and for eternity!
 
Let’s focus for a moment on the fact that EVERYTHING changed in the matter of seconds.  The world encountered the love of God, and everything changed.  So to, when we open ourselves up to the love of God, everything changes.  God can and will make a way in any situation, any life, any THING in order for His love to be revealed - and this can take place in a matter of seconds.  Look at what the prophet Isaiah stated: the passionate commitment of the Lord…will make this happen.  We have been promised so much by the Lord - and he keeps those commitments with more passion than we can realize - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them (Rom. 8:28).  That is a promise from the Lord - and He will make this happen! 
 
Embrace this extravagant love of a Father, and the gift of our Savior this season - we have so much to rejoice over.
 
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!