BACKFLIPS

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6-7

When I lived in another state, a neighbor had a mini-daschund that was so darn cute I was going crazy in love with this sweet little dog! 

She was easily in the ‘cuteness overload’ category.  I said, “I can’t stand it –she is so cute I feel like doing a back flip!”  Of course we all laughed, and no one expected me to do one, I was just expressing my heart was overflowed with joy and love.

That’s nothing compared to when I know I’m going to see my daughter soon, I feel even more overjoyed – like that.

And I get very excited when God answers a prayer!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:4-7

I have to actually do a backflip, as bad as I wanted to. But someone we all heard of had actually done one, feeling the same way.  Even before birth, John the Baptist could sense the holiness and the specialness of the Savior when in his presence. So much so that he made a noticeable move inside the womb, affecting Elizabeth enough to say something about feeling her baby jumping or spinning. (Luke 1:39-49 )

Unborn John was already overjoyed that the Messiah was coming, and he knew the holiness that other baby brought to the world.  And Joy to him!  Women who carry children to term are familiar with that huge wobbly belly when the baby moves around and flips upside down to prepare for birth.

This is the season for us to be super excited about the Holy One coming to the world and redeem us!  (Matthew 2:10-12)

Many of our ancestral fathers had been promised the Holy Land and that a Messiah was coming, and they had anticipated both, but were long dead and gone before it physically happened.   But they still had faith that it would happen someday.  

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey

Zechariah 9:9

Then the fortunate ones who walked and interacted with Jesus, and witnessed his Ascension, hearing Jesus say he will return as he had gone.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23

Now it’s our turn to be super happy! We can approach God in confidence and in love through Jesus. And because of his coming, we have blessed ASSURANCE of eternal life after earthly death. That’s something to be very excited about!

These things have I written unto you,

that ye may know that ye have eternal life,

even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

1John 5:13

Tell everyone you know the GOOD NEWS! Look up (not just on Christmas Eve) and thank Jesus for your ransom that he paid dearly for. (Hebrews 10:19-23)

If you can easily, you might even be moved to do a backflip, or just let the tears of joy fall as you think of the day of going Home!

 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

1Corinthians 13:12

Are you looking forward with excitement to see the Savior’s face sometime in the future? Or are you fearing that meeting?  Be honest with yourself and get right with God!  Confess you are a sinner and you NEED the Savior Jesus Christ, inviting Him into your life. (John 3:3, John 3:16-17)

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8b-9

When you really mean you’re sorry and seek Him, He will be there waiting, giving you a Peace that is way bigger than this world! (Jeremiah 29:13-14, Romans 5:13)

Come, Emmanuel!  We are excited to see your loving face and go Home!

“Beloved, now are we the children of God,

and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,

but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, 

for we shall see him as he is.”

1 John 3:2

Someday, many will be there and out of pain, able to walk, see, and hear and just may be doing those flips and cartwheels that they made it Home!

God promises in Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Merry Joyful Christmas to you all!