For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

For some reason, as I (Susan Higgins) sit to write this Christmas greeting to you on this overcast Monday in Pasadena, this verse has come to mind. A very familiar verse, often inscribed in beautiful script on Christmas cards depicting a quiet scene of a manger in the glow of firelight. However, I wonder if perhaps the magnitude of the meaning has become lost on us due to its very familiarity???

This year, Kevin and I have lived into the experience of God as a Wonderful Counselor. Only by the clear counsel of our Mighty God and Everlasting Father, could we even imagine the move here to Pasadena with all the new foci of ministry that accompanies the transition as Kevin assumes the leadership of William Carey International University and continues to facilitate Global Teams work among Muslims. Only our Wonderful Counselor and Everlasting Father could have prepared me to be ready to take on the International Partner Care Facilitator role for Global Teams.

As we bow our heads in earnest prayer on behalf of Kenya and Somalia so recently racked by racial and religious turmoil and unrest, we know we are praying to the Prince of Peace who loves the peoples of the nations with an undying love because He is our eternal Everlasting Father. I read Isaiah’s words and I don’t just want to read them with my head, but to read them with my heart, IN my heart for myself and for all of Father’s children.

In October, we had the privilege of hosting a Muslim-background Jesus follower and his wife in our home over the span of two weeks. Arrangements were made to accompany them to address a variety of groups to share about the call of our Mighty God and Everlasting Father upon them to minister in his home country the beautiful reality of a child who was born, the Prince of Peace. I listened to their story multiple times, and each time I was moved by the compassion of our Wonderful Counselor who called this couple in such a powerful and mighty way to be his own for the sake of those he loves so much.

I so want us, you and me and Global Teams and the USA and all the world, to live IN this truth, INTO this truth. To wonder and marvel and rejoice in the miracle of the child who was born in our midst who is our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace.

Kevin and I wish you and yours a blessed, deep, rich, and precious Christmas holiday season so that you can relish and be renewed and refreshed by your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father, and your Prince of Peace.

Susan and Kevin Higgins

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