MERRY CHRISTMAS: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE...?

 🎶 Rejoice, Rejoice, 

🎶 Immanuel,

🎶 Is here with thee oh Yve Azar (insert your name) 

😂

Christmas is here! 🎊🎊🎊 

Honestly, I don't think I give this holiday the excitement it deserves🙈. When I was younger I used to decorate, wear a new outfit and compose those supposedly annoying messages to foward to loved ones😅. . . Then I don't know what happened...

Oh I remember... Campus happened: closing school late and having to celebrate moderately because I would be reopening school the next week😅. (So sorry to those yet to finish. Stay strong💪)

However I also came to realize that it's what happens in the inside of me that matters more than observation of external traditions... Of which both are good, and matter to God, if they matter to you... I personally still find myself with a new dress every Christmas😀... and receiving gifts, even as I give to others. And trust me, it's not something I sweat to plan, or ask for, God just provides...

2017 Christmas dress😉

Concerning these things that happen on the inside:

Some time last year I learnt something concerning the name(s) of God. Verses like these began to catch my attention:

"...And His name shall be..."

Isaiah 9:6

"Sing to God, sing praises to His name..."

Psalm 68:4

"...Hallowed be thy name..."

Matthew 6:9

From that time on, I began to intentionally ask myself everyday, "Who is God to me today? Right now? This season?" 

I know God is many things to us, but there is that aspect that is usually most dominant in a season. For example:

🕒 January to April I experienced God as Alpha and Omega: He started a good work in me He would(and actually did) finish it and bring it to accomplishment... 

🕕 April to  September I experienced God as a Father: This was a big one for me having not grown with a father in the house... I'll do a separate blog post for just this, soon😀.

🕚 October to December I experienced God as Immanuel: I was surrounded by so many circumstances and threats in practically all spheres of my life... academic, health, financial, home.... What kept me going was knowing God is with me... And the song I started with☝ was what kept me in check when it got really bad... "Because God is with me, there are things I will never face and if I do, I'll come out victorious and scratch free that the enemy will feel he 'wasted a bullet'😂"

As I have been pondering on God, in form of Christ, as Immanuel,  is how I found a few chapters later, from a common Christmas verse, how Immanuel shall/has manifested himself in my life:

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.

Isaiah 9:6

🕛 Wonderful

In the Old Testament this word was used to refer to God's miracles (signs and wonders). I've seen God perform so many 'weird' miracles for me this year. Some I'm not able to share with people because I'm not sure whether some will understand😅...

🕛 Counselor

Having finished school and now in a somewhat what-next? state, I have really seen God show up as a Wise counselor for me... Most times in my times of communing with him and many times through people.

🕛 Mighty God

Stepping out of the water series was inspired by this aspect of God. Every time God has called me out of my comfort zone it was to manifest his might in me... And I know I'll be seeing more of this in the coming year. 

🕛 Everlasting Father

During this season I've had a lot of flashbacks of my life. Especially the father aspect because I know he wished to see this day (graduation tings😉). It's funny for me that the biggest betrayal I experienced from him is him dying😅. Yep! Apparently he wasn't immortal😂😂... And that is why God in this verse emphasizes that he's not only coming as a father but an eternal one too: transcends life, time and space...

Remember this post? Feel free to click the image to reread it.

🕛 Prince of peace

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:14 

Let's start with the fact that It's been a while since I had an altercation with a bus conductor😂, then the fact that I live in a peaceful neighborhood... I moved back in with my Mum who we used to disagree on everything😂😂... But now😍💕... 

Best of all is the inner peace...

As I write this post I have 2 things that have tried to steal my peace, but I know the only way to get through it is by finding rest in the Prince of Peace. That's a big one for me because I tend to be a fixer😅... 

So, as you celebrate Christmas, I hope you get a fresh revelation of who God is to you personally. Ask yourself, "Who has God been to me lately? this season? this year?" Write down somewhere, share with a loved one or feel free to comment here... 

That is your biggest testimony this Christmas and this year. Treasure it. 

Also, if you are experiencing any challenge right now, you can be sure it is testing whether you know who God is to you. Renew your mind concerning who God is to you, and see yourself conquer😀.

Until the next post,

Have a Merry Christmas.

💕