For to us a child is born

The prophet Isaiah lived in trouble times, in a time of great darkness. King Ahaze, king of Judah in Jerusalem, was frightened by the possible end of his reign. He was afraid of the powerful nations. When the Assyrians flooded into the land, darkness descended. And it deepened when people did not turn to God in times of distress.

However, the prophet Isaiah had the Christmas message in his heart. He predicted that the kingdom of Judah did not come to an end, because the sign of Emmanuel would be a sign of deliverance. Isaiah wrote, ?Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress... the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned? (9: 1, 2). He looked forward to Jesus, the light of the world, who began his work in that darkest of all places, Galilee of the Gentiles, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali.

What was Isaiah?s good news for people who were living in a time of great darkness, who feared that their sorrows and troubles will never end? Look at verse 6 that read, ?? 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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace?. These words, written around 700 years describe Christ the Messiah. This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when God sent his Son Jesus to be born in Jerusalem. Who is this child and what does it mean to us that He is born, as we are going to celebrate Christmas next week?

First, He is the Wonderful Counsellor. From time to time we have decisions to be made which change the direction of our lives. We make small decisions every day. We must make large decisions also: What shall I do with my life? Where shall I study and what shall study for my future?s career? We must decide whether or not to take a certain job. The largest and most important decision of life is the decision to accept Jesus as Lord and savior and commit myself to him and his people. We need the Wonderful Counsellor. When we trust him with all our hearts, and do not lean on our own understanding, our Wonderful Counsellor makes paths straight.

Second, He is the Mighty God. The child born to us is the Mighty. John wrote in Revelation, ?worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise! (Rev 5:11-12) Jesus is God. Jesus is the Mighty God, one through him all things were created. He created us. He is the owner of our lives. He is the sovereign Lord.

Third, He is the Everlasting Father. Jesus is our Everlasting Father. A father is the source of love and protection. We live in a world that full of broken homes and fatherless children. Human fathers, even the best fathers, cannot be everlasting. But Jesus is our Everlasting Father. He is a Father who will never leave us as desolate orphans. He promised, ?I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you? (Jn 14: 18). Jesus? love is unchanging. He is our Father who will love us forever.

Fourth, He is the Prince of Peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The angels sang at his birth, ?glory to God and peace to men?. Everyone longs for peace. We want peace in our world and peace in our hearts. Sometimes people seek peace in different ways. Some people seek peace in alcohol. Some seek to forget their troubles by playing sports or video games. Some seek peace in listening to music or in sleeping all day. These things may give temporary peace, but when time passes, troubles come back. Only Jesus Christ the prince of Peace can bring peace to the world. God wants Christians of every generation to bring the good news of the Prince of Peace to all the people of the world. May Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace dwell in our heart this Christmas time?