At Christmas we see the little Christ child being born into the world. A little helpless baby cooing with the little animals around Him. Sadly, most of us want to keep Christ there in the manger. What about the baby that would grow up and upset the world, over-throw the money changers carts and call the religious leaders lower than whale poop? What about that same man naked, bleeding, beaten beyond recognition, beard plucked out, nailed to an Old Rugged Cross dying to save man-kind?
 
       Here in America we have really bought into that weak and mild side of Jesus. We hear that God is a God of love, (which He is). The pastor of the largest evangelical church in America has stated that he will not preach on hell, judgment or sin because it might make some people feel bad. We have preachers that want to make Jesus your 'little buddy'. When is the last time you heard or preached a sermon on Hell? Yes, Jesus calls you 'friend' and even His child if you have been born-again. But what about the other side of Emmanuel, (God with Us)? What about His anger, His wrath, His righteousness and holiness that demands that He judge and punish sin? Look at the white throne of judgment found in Revelation 20.
 
       Isaiah 9:6 tells us that 1 of the names given to the child is "Mighty God". The Hebrew used here carries with it the idea of a soldier or warrior that is coming to bring justice and righteousness. To right the wrongs. Vs. 7 tells us the kind of kingdom Jesus will set up, "To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness." So, what about the other side of Jesus/God? If we are going to preach love and mercy we have to preach wrath and judgment. He will judge sin and punish it. The only way to avoid it is to believe that Jesus came and died in your place and make Him your personal Lord & Savior. That is why Jesus came... and that is the Good News!