For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor...

For a child will be born for us, 

a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. 

He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Eternal Father, 

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:4-6 CSB

It's easy to get caught up in some romantic notion of a cute baby who never cries (cue "away in a manger") and this new family being formed.

Yet Isaiah paints a picture of massive, tumultuous change. 

Nothing will be the same again after this. 

Nothing.

He is the hope of the world, the shatterer of yokes that oppress, who said "my yoke is easy."

A new kingdom started.

And nothing will be the same again.

Nothing.

And Jesus calls us to be part of this new kingdom, to work with him shattering yokes that hold others down, and to allow his counsel, his peace, to reign in our lives.

Yes it's a baby's birth we celebrate, God's wonderful gift of his son, God becoming one of us, the author of the book becoming part of the story, and it's good to give and receive gifts to reflect that, and if we can, to be with people we love, and in that may we get a glimpse, gain an inkling, of the freedom and hope that Jesus brings. 

#christmas

#freedom

#hope

#sendingarohatoallthosewhoareworkingtoday