For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Thursday we went to a Christmas party at the hospital. Sister Elizabeth, our lovely nurse friend, planned it all out. She said, "We will lure them with the food, and then we will preach them the Gospel!" She is one of the most passionate people I've met, there is a fire that burns in her heart for the message of Jesus Christ. She got all the christians at the hospital (very small minority of staff and students) to come together to make this program really great.
Everyone showed up from the "chief madam" to the "dimas" that do the cleaning. There were songs, prayers, and scripture readings. The "chief madam" even called us forward one at a time to thank us for our help. She awarded us with a small statue of the Hindu dancing god. (We're all still trying to figure out what to do with those.) My favorite part was when some of the christian student nurses acted out the nativity. It was all in Telegu, so I couldn't understand the words spoken, but I know the story by heart. Their costumes were brilliant. Gabriel had tin foil wings. Joseph had a marker drawn beard and mustache, as did most of the shepherds and wise men (you have to be creative with an all female cast.) Baby Jesus was played by a precious baby that was abandoned in the nursery, we call her Daniella. I was lost in the story, smiling and watching along with everyone else. As the wise men bowed themselves, bearing their gifts, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. What, what?? "Where is this coming from?" i asked myself. From somewhere deep within came the simple words, "This is the story of MY JESUS." My precious, Jesus. My Friend. My Love. My Provider. My Comforter and Counselor. My Guide. My King. My Prince. My Everything. They were telling the story of my Jesus, and it touched my heart so deeply.
Isaiah prophesied that there would be "no end to the increase" over his kingdom, His government. I see with my own eyes that the zeal of the Lord is accomplishing His purposes all over the world! In some places the gospel spreads like wildfire, and in other places it's more like roots growing underground slowly but deeply. He is active, not slow to fulfill His promises, but patient with His creation. Praise Him.
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11
