White Christmas?

It looks like a whitish Thursday, but will it be a 'White Christmas?' I am not a betting man, but I wouldn't bet on snow next week!

But what do I dream for over these next 2 weeks?

I look again at what the prophets promised about the future, and would long for more of that in our own day.

'He will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
Then his people will live there undisturbed,
    for he will be highly honoured around the world.
⁵     And he will be the source of peace.' (Micah 5.4-5)

While politicians around the world seek to give leadership, the promised Messiah leads in the Lord's strength, to be the source of our peace. 

But there is so much that is wrong in our day.

I keep meeting people whose lives are ravaged by wicked landlords, careless care professionals, or widespread spiteful unkindness. My heart cries out, 'How long, O Lord?' 

Mercifully, the Lord God knows of the prayers which we utter in silence, and he has promised to act.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

So I pray that people's lives will be changed by the power of God, so that instead of being part of the problem, we may all want to live for the glory of God and the good of other people.

There is no other way that this will happen - apart from putting ourselves daily and relentlessly under his just and gentle rule. As I said to someone yesterday, we need to invite Jesus to take the steering wheel in the car of our lives, so that he can direct and lead us where it is good for us to go - but he won't force us to do that.

That is what I dream of for Christmas.

Best wishes,

Richard