BORN TO BE KING (ISAIAH 9:2-7)
The Very. Rev. Michael Mukhwana
Beloved of the Lord, Merry Christmas! We bless the Name of the Lord, for bringing us this far in 2016. As I write to you, I am mindful of the fact that many of us in this country have been through all kinds of challenges and set-backs, both at the family and individual level, and I wish to extend my sympathies to you all. Even as a nation, we have been through some very tough times. The year kicked off with a focus on a national election, and the Lord heard our cry and gave us a peaceful election. Unfortunately, the outcome of the election was
contested by some of the presidential hopefuls, leading to arrests, and pockets of violence, within Kampala.
Thankfully, even this storm of political tensions waned, with the passing of time; but the nation was headed for yet another storm, economic hardship. Every ordinary Ugandan will testify to the fact that the later part of this year has been challenging, with prices of food stuff skyrocketing, a situation that was aggravated by a significant shift in our weather pattern.
The long dry spell across the country left many districts with a very poor harvest, and in some cases with nothing, resulting into serious food shortages, particularly in Karamoja, Isingiro and parts of the Teso sub-region.
While we were grappling with the challenge of food shortage, hell broke loose in Kasese, with the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu coming under siege. Numerous lives were lost, and the rest is history. There were also the religiously motivated killings in town, not to mention the road carnage on Masaka road! The above description spells gloom and despair, and I am sure many of us fear that our sorrows and troubles will never end. I want to challenge us, as people who live by faith and not by sight, to take comfort in this certainty: that although the Lord may not always take us around our troubles, if we follow Him wholeheartedly, He will lead us safely through them.
As people of faith, we must not forget that the child who would become Israel’s deliverer is the Messiah, Jesus, who is also the Savoir of the whole world. The promise was that the people walking in darkness would see a great light; and on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light would dawn (Isaiah9:2); what a comforting message! Isaiah 9:3 is a promise of prosperity and an ever increasing joy, which would be ushered in by the new born King. The basis of our confidence is therefore, that the one who was to be born will reign as Excellent Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and the government will be upon His shoulders. His reign would be characterized by justice and peace. It is my prayer, that as we seek the Lord’s face this Christmas, we will emerge from the season with a new perspective of who this great King and redeemer is; and that we shall not only worship Him, but will also lay every burden of our lives at His feet, for ‘He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…’(Ephesians 3:20). By the way, do you have a
relationship with this King? Blessings!
The Very Rev. Canon Michael Mukhwana
PROVOST