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Special Holiday Edition 2016

BlueRibbonNews.com

Resting Upon HIS Shoulder

For unto us a child is born…

 

The words proclaim a good-news message set to music that 
much of the Western world either welcomes or tolerates 
each December.

This season especially, Christmas carols and concertos may 
serve to dispel some of the gloom and strife that plagued 
our nation in the Year of Our Lord 2016. Post-election 
weariness can give way to a better theme: Emmanuel—God 
is with us (Matthew 1:23).

Handel’s Messiah—the ultimate Christmas (and Easter) 
composition—contains hopeful promises from the book 
of Isaiah, who prophesied of a coming King whose reign 
would never end. God spoke through Isaiah to a nation 
weary of sin, strife, and disappointing rulers, which sounds 
a lot like today’s world.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the 
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall 
be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The 
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7*).

The fulfillment of that passage of Scripture arrived more 
than 700 years later, after the angel Gabriel appeared to a 
virgin to announce God’s favor: And, behold, thou shalt 
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son… JESUS. 

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the 
Highest… and of his kingdom there shall be no end

 

(Luke 1:31-32).

But Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). 
Instead, he sits high above all nations (Psalm 113:4) at the 
right hand of God (Colossians 3:1), who has put all things 
under his feet (Hebrews 2:8). As King of kings and Lord 
of lords (1 Timothy 6:15) Christ reigns over the earth 
(Psalm 47:7-8).

Yet, knowing all of this, heaven can seem far away and 
unresponsive to global calamities and to serious issues 
closer to home. People of faith, like unbelievers, can 
become too anxious about frustrating circumstances—
such as this year’s presidential campaign, when we 
needed to remember to trust in the Name that will 
never appear on a ballot. 

The New Year will bring changes in our nation and new 
concerns around the globe. But peace on earth is available 
to those with whom God is pleased (Luke 2:14), those 
whose hope awaits in heaven (Colossians 1:5), where 
all sorrows and sighing will flee away (Isaiah 35:10).

*Italicized verses are from the King James Version 
of the Bible

By Blue Ribbon News faith columnist 
Patti Richter of Heath. 
Read more of her 
Good Faith columns at 
Blue Ribbon News.com. 

Patti Richter

The Holy Trinity among the angels fresco in the church 

Monasterio de San Jeronimo by Juan de Medina from 

18th century, Granada, Spain. 

GOOD FAITH

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celebrating

EST. 2006

10 years of reaching 

for the stars with 

your children

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