The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” [Luke 1:30-33].

Samuel de Champlain was the founder of Quebec and the father of Canada.  He was a soldier, explorer, cartographer, diplomat, visionary, leader, peacemaker ... and all that he was and all that he did was defined by his Christian faith and commitment to glorify God.  Although he detested the cruelty and immorality of many Indians, he treated them with respect and honored them as human beings who still possessed commendable qualities and were part of the human race for whom God sent His Son.

Because he treated the Indians with respect ... because he was able to negotiate a true peace between all Indian nations [except the Iroquois] within in his sphere of influence ... and because he was always honest and truthful with the Indians ... because he genuinely cared for them and improved their lives ... because he was trustworthy and kept his word ... the Indians respected him and considered him a true friend.

In his last few years, Champlain was acting governor of Quebec and the growing number of French settlements along the Saint Lawrence River and in what is now New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.  There was healthy growth, prosperity, peace and open relations with the Indians.  Then Champlain died and France sent a new governor who did not share Champlain’s respect for the Indians.  Things reverted to the old ways.  Indian nations fought each other and they all fought the French.  Good days were no more ... all because of a change of leadership.

Israel experienced the same struggles and uncertainty as one godly king would give way to an ungodly king who would lead the nation in unfaithfulness to God and the painful experience of God’s corrective rod.  We – or any nation - may prosper under the leadership of one man, but when there is a changing of the guard, we hold our collective breath to see if a new leader will as wise and skilled and genuinely concerned for the people his predecessor.

But there is a coming king ... King Jesus.  For a child will be [has been!] born to us, a son will be [has been!] given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” [Isa. 9:6-7].

Life under the very best of earthly leadership would seem oppressive, insecure and impoverished compared to living under the rule of Jesus Christ!  Under His rule there will be no tears, pain, disease, death, war, or any of the things that bring distress in this life.  And there will be no end to the bliss of living under His rule, because He will reign forever and ever!  Amen!  Come Lord Jesus!

This Christmas season, as we celebrate Jesus’ coming to be our Savior, may we worship Him with joyful expectancy of His coming again!

Pastor Jim