Dear Editors and friends,

Please freely print this weeks Penny Pulpit Column in your papers, bulletins, emails, bloggs and twitters .  Thank you for this consideration.
Pastor Ed Rice,  Good Samaritan Baptist Church, Dresden NY 14441

These Baptist Penny Pulpits are an asset to many young Missionaries and young Christians, FORWARD it to someone.

Msg #1050 Unto Us A Child is Born

What the Bible Says, Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

One of the most revealing prophecies of the Christ's first advent is found in Isaiah9. “For unto us a child is born...” but this chapter begins with a very interesting word that makes us ask who is the 'us' in verse6? Chapter8 opens with Isaiah commanded to write in a great roll with a man's pen that the 10 northern tribes then called the nation of Israel, would be defeated, spoiled and destroyed by the Assyrians. It was written that no army, no league, no negotiation, and no circumstance would save them from the annihilation. Indeed “They shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.” (8:22) Chapter 9's first word is 'Nevertheless' and the ray of hope initiated in that word is “The people that walk in darkness have seen a great light' they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shine.” Who is this light? This Saviour? This Messiah? Who is it that breaks the yoke of their burden and the rod of his oppressor? (vr4) It is the same one that had promise to bruise the head of the Serpent in Eden. “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.” Praise the Lord this promise is not just to the nation of Israel that was in such dark straits, for all of mankind lives in the shadow of death and was in those dire straits. God said He laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Celebrate His birth anew and enlightened this year. Merry Christmas.

An Essay for week # 50, Sun, December 12, 2010

Posted at http://www.GSBaptistChurch.com