Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Commentary:
Before that first Christmas, there was an expectancy in the air. For centuries, prophets foretold of the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah was one such prophet.
He lived about 700 years before Christ was born. What he foretold surprised those who were watching and waiting. The coming of a Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace—could it be? Yes, it could, and it was.
Jesus was the fulfillment of this incredible prophecy. He is a wonderful counselor. You can come to him with any burden and He will give you comfort. He is the mighty God! Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was born, I am (Exodus 3:14)!”
His claim of deity is why he was accused of blasphemy and almost stoned. He’s like our Everlasting Father in that He’s the head of the church. By Him all things were created. Finally, He’s the Prince of Peace. He’s the One who can bring peace with God, bring peace to our hearts, and usher peace into our world.
Join me in Luke 2 for the story of our wonderful Savior’s birth, and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy when the Word became flesh:
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
I hope and pray that if you don’t know this Wonderful Counselor and this Prince of Peace, you will come to know Him this Christmas. I pray that you will treasure up all these things and ponder the miracle of the virgin birth because God so loved the world. Only the zeal of the Lord can accomplish that. Merry Christmas!
