hang a shining star upon the highest bough

The Word for today:
Isaiah 10:5-34

Regular readers of the Stand in the Rain blog might be wondering whatever happened to Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:1-7.

But by now you must know we wouldn't let those pictures of Jesus go by unnoticed.

We set them aside, so we could tuck them inside this Christmas card for you...

Here's a remarkable picture of the great light that shone down upon us just before baby Jesus arrived:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2/Matthew 4:16)

Here's a baby picture of Jesus--and some of the names we came up with for him:
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
and the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end,
upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to order it and establish it with judgment and justice
from that time forward, even forever. (Isaiah 9:6-7/John 3:16)

Here's another of the names--probably our fave--that we thought about for him:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel--which means, "God with us." (Isaiah 7:14/Matthew 1:23)

We hope these pictures leave you with a sense of the wonder of it all. Along with them, we send our very deepest regards for you and yours.

Have a merry Christmas. Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.