“And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Dear Ones:
When we consider that Christ was named “Wonderful,” we enter a realm of thoughts that cannot be surpassed in beauty, wonder, perfection, and love. There is about His person that which is beyond description, awe-inspiring, and overwhelmingly above what we could even begin to conceive. When Scripture tells us that He is “holy,” we find that even the most meaningful of all narratives, pictures, and illustrations in one form or another, cannot adequately explain Him. He is absolutely unique. In making all of His goodness pass before us, in the measure that we can grasp, His “wonder” encapsulates and magnifies “His mercy and grace, long-suffering, abundant goodness and truth,” carrying us in our thoughts beyond the limits of that which is possible to man.
He is the perfect Counselor, ready to instruct and teach us in the way that we should go. Being such, He does NOT need our counsel, for in Christ are “ALL” the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He ALONE can be truly our Counselor, for His glory.
His “might” (or power) is demonstrated in the creation of the world. This same power and strength is demonstrated in the “new creation” of the soul. The SAME creative energy, howbeit very tenderly applied, is that which regenerates the soul, cleanses from all sin, and gives that same power to live by the Holy Spirit…for His glory. He is God, and is therefore, alone worthy to receive the praise.
The Everlasting Father…what a name for Christ. What does this mean? Most certainly He is speaking of His union with the Father, one in nature, holiness, and Life. His dealings with us are always BY and FOR the Father. He and the Father live and move in tandem as one, and yet are two. The everlasting quality of the relationship is established, is unmovable, and unchangeable, graciously revealed to us in kindness.
The Prince of Peace. How is it that the Eternal Christ, God, exalted and Almighty, could “give” us His peace? It is because He IS God, glorified in His flesh in heaven. He has the authority, motive, and will to love those for whom He died. He has the power to save and cleanse, in order to impart His nature. He gives to His own His peace, for He gives Himself to the believing heart.
The incarnation of Christ, His birth in Bethlehem, was the declaration of “good news” to the world, not only that God would forgive the sins of men, but that He would come to dwell in their hearts…”Christ in you, the hope of glory.” It is true that Christ was born to die. It is also true that He rose from the dead, to receive of the Father the Holy Spirit, so that the Son could GIVE Him to us, not only to be with us but to be IN us.
“O infinite Redeemer, I bring no other plea, Because Thou dost invite me, I cast myself on Thee. Because Thou dost accept me, I love and I adore; Because Thy love constraineth, I’ll praise Thee evermore.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad
No more precious Christmas messsge than this!
May His love rest on each one!