Christmas is once again upon us and people around the world are busy with their preparations for their own versions of a Christmas celebration. Christmas is a time for family reunions, for family bonding, renewing friendships, exchanging gifts and going on holiday trips.
Christians around the world celebrate Christmas in different ways, following their beliefs and their traditions. Christmas is a time to celebrate. Foremost is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is meant to bring a message of peace and hope, and Joy, but the message is many times overshadowed by the stress of preparing, overshadowed by the stress of overextending our bank accounts, the stress of not having someone near and dear in the home or at the table because of a death that year.
Another thing Christmas has turned into is that it’s a time and excuse for parties. There are parties in the office, community organized parties, parties among friends and business associates, and parties at church. It is almost impossible to turn away invitations because the Christmas season has become a social obligation. While parties are fine, the essence of the Christmas celebration somehow gets lost in all the excitement.
You want to know something… there are as many non-Christians celebrating Christmas, as Christians. Who can tell me why?
Nobody is afraid of a baby!
Although many people have almost forgotten what Christmas really means, there are still plenty of people young and old around the world, who have a different take on what Christmas is.
Many of us still know that … 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
God's presence is equal with light according to the Bible. "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5b). The great light that will appear is the Messiah, according to Isaiah. Seven hundred years later Jesus began His ministry right here in this area of Galilee. Light includes every possible blessing that the age of the Messiah can bring. Jesus stood in the Temple and declared, of Himself… "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Our society is reeling from the effects of unfaithfulness to the LORD God. We worship idolatrous images of materialism, and prostitute ourselves to any deity that will make us feel good and give in to our desires and wants. Whether it’s our desired political party, our favorite sports team, or our very own possessions. We have lost our hope in this spiritual darkness. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
There is peace instead of war (v. 5).
Do you wonder when the inner war in your soul will ever end? Listen to the prophet, "For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire."
THE SAVIOR OF THE SINFUL PEOPLE (9:6-7)
This is the same child foretold in 7:14.
The birth of this child is a gift of God. He is a Child, but He is also a Son. From early time, the Messiah was recognized as son of David, a legitimate heir to David's throne and the Son of God. He will in some significant way appear on the scene as a child and will "be born" as human beings are. Yet, He will "be given." He is a Son par excellence. He is truly unique.
God incarnate! That is the only way it could be accomplished. This is how the Apostle Paul came to understand it. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation . . . For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him. . . that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:15, 19–20, 26–27). The expected king will be human and divine. He will be God–man. He will have attributes of God and characteristics of man. He is not some grotesque figure of science fiction, but the very perfection of love.
Moreover, this child will occupy a position of dignity––"the government will rest on His shoulders" (Vv. 6b, 7). This child will become a righteous ruler who will fulfil all the expectations of the family of King David (Cf. II Sam. 7:13–16). The Child is to be a King, a Ruler, a Sovereign. However, He will not be merely a human king. Clearly, He is the Messiah, the Anointed of Yahweh. The ancient Jewish Targum explicitly identified this person in Isaiah as the Messiah.
What kind of child is this?
Isaiah describes for us the character of this child.
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR –– Literally He is "wonder of a counselor." He gives comfort and strength throughout time and eternity. The Messiah is Himself a "Wonder." The word refers to what God has done, not man. He is God Himself. This Child is a Wonder. He will rule with unfailing depth of Wisdom. He will not need counselors or a cabinet; He is Himself Counselor. The emphasis of His name is on teachings, character and life. He will be most efficient in planning, formulating action to carry out His plans. He is one counseling wonderful things.
Do you need wisdom in this hour of need? One wag said, "A wise person seeks much counsel. A fool listens to all of it!" \
Here is the Counselor worthy of the name. He doesn't burnout. He is always on call. He is infinite wisdom. Come and humble your heart and listen to Him. Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, asked, Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). He is worthy of our loyalty because His counsel goes beyond the human limitations.
Jesus issues an invitation to all who are in need of a wonderful counselor to come to Him. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy–laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28–30).
MIGHTY GOD –– He is full omnipotence; El––the strong One. Literally He is, the "God–hero." He is the Mighty God. El gibbor always refers in the Old Testament to God as Absolute Deity. The Messiah is all–powerful, living, true God, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Christ is the mighty El. Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). The Messiah is God Himself and He is able to save all who trust in Him. He has nothing less than the full omnipotence of God at His command. What He devised He is able to achieve. Let Jesus Christ be the "Mighty God" in your life.
ETERNAL FATHER –– He is everlastingly a Father. He is loving, paternal, concerned, tender, faithful, wise, guardian, provider and protector. Ps. 103:13, "Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."
For those individuals in our day who struggle for a positive father image here is one who is worthy of the name. You can have perfect security in an intimate love relationship with your heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans 8:15–18 with these words: "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." Here is a father worthy of the name who will never leave your or forsake you.
PRINCE OF PEACE –– He rules over His people with peace. The peace He gives is eternal. He is the embodiment of peace, therefore He rules over His redeemed people as a Prince bringing peace. In a post resurrection appearance Jesus said to His disciples, "My peace, I give you." The result of His coming into our hearts by faith is perfect peace. Romans 5:1 reads, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." He gives us His indescribable peace the very moment we put our trust in Him.
CHRIST THE FULFILLMENT OF THE CHILD WITH FOUR NAMES
The Child to be born is Jesus.
The physician Luke recorded his investigation, ""Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant" (Luke 1:68-69).
