Wow! It is hard to believe that we are in the last month of 2022. I trust that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

In our theme “let me tell you about my Jesus,” I noted last week that I would continue to look at one of the most amazing prophecies regarding the birth of Christ – Isa. 9:6:

Isa 9:6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

I mentioned last week that whenever I read this verse, I immediately hear Handel’s Messiah*, and his treatment of this verse. So far, we have looked through the opening of this verse up to “and his name shall be called…” (Those of you familiar with the Messiah, the word “called” is pronounce “cal-led” and reading this verse just wouldn’t be right if did not pronounce it as such. ) Nevertheless, in the Messiah, Handel’s librettist, Charles Jennens, separates the name Wonderful from Counselor. There are some scholars who would agree and others who don’t. John Gill does agree by listing the following:
    – He is Wonderful in His person and in the glory and beauty of it.
    – He is wonderful in the disposition of his mind, and in the qualities, he is            possessed of.
    – He is wonderful in his life.
    – He is wonderful in his death.
    – He is wonderful in his resurrection from the dead.
    – He is wonderful in his ascension to heaven, both in the manner of it, in a          cloud, and in the effects of it, receiving gifts for men, and giving the gifts          to  them.
    – Wonderful he will be in his second coming to judgment.
I would agree with Gill after reading this august list. Just reading through this list should leave one in awe of the majesty of Christ.

Holding to the treatment of these names by Handel, the name Counselor comes next. Indeed, He is the supreme counselor. He made many declarations giving counsel to the Jewish nation (and to us): “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Mt. 11:28. I could continue on filling many pages with statements from God’s Word giving the reader counsel about life and eternal life.

Lastly, let us look at “mighty God.” (Handel used the KJV of the Bible when composing Messiah which puts the article “the” in front of this name and the next two names. Again, for me, I can hardly read the verse in the ESV without putting in the “the.”) As I have mentioned before when talking about the singularity of God, here the use of the word “the” narrows down the field of possibilities to just one deity that could justifiably hold this title. The two most well-known demonstrations of the mightiness of God would be the creation of the universe and the resurrection and ascension of Christ. We could list
others like the “virgin birth,” “Red Sea,” “Jericho,” and “Sennacherib’s army,” but they pale in comparison to the creation of the universe and the way of salvation. It is truly remarkable what God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, allowed Isaiah to communicate in this prophecy. Next week – the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

I happened upon this article, “Disney’s Not-at-all-Secret Agenda” (link below), regarding Disney, and their overt decision to promote woke ideologies in their shows, movies, and theme parks. I would encourage you to read it.

Please pray for the health and strength for the staff and students. This latest bug that has been going around has been keeping the students and staff out multiple days. Pray with me that this bug would clear out this weekend.

Wanted: One or two more individuals that could sub teach when needed. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school is needed.

Prior to the VCS Christmas program is the Annual Community Bake Sale, 12/15, 3-6pm, at the school. Stock up on Christmas goodies at the sale.

The Christmas program is on Dec. 15 @ 6:30pm, here at the school. (Please have your student here by 6:20pm, 6:10pm for K.) The program will consist of two parts, “A Celebration of Nine Lessons and Carols” and “Believe!” For the first part of the program, I am asking all students to wear a white button-
down collared shirt, black slacks/pants, and black shoes. Those of you who were at the program last year saw how professional the students looked when performing.

Christmas break starts Dec. 17 and ends Jan. 2.

VCS ski club starts tonight. You can still sign up for the club.

If you would like to make a year-end donation to the school, the finance office needs to have it submitted by Dec. 15.

The next regularly scheduled VCS Board meeting will be “Next Year.”

Continue to pray for God’s holy fire to rain down daily burning away the dross of sin.

Pressing forward for His glory,
Ron

*Much could be said about Messiah, but that will have to be in a different venue. Listen to this is a wonderful recording of Handel’s Messiah. The song, “For unto Us a Child is Born,” is number 12 at about the 36:39-minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuGSOkYWfDQ