DECEMBER 3RD
The Christmas Child
Isaiah 9:2-7 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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 greatness 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.
In 1865, an insurance salesman named William Chatterton Dix wrote a poem called "The Manger Throne". The poem was about the baby Jesus and eventually, that poem became the well-loved Christmas song we know as "What Child is This?" His poem highlights a question that has been asked and debated for the last 2000 years which is: Who is Jesus? Is Jesus just a man, or just a prophet or teacher? Or is Jesus something more? Who is Jesus to you? There are a wide variety of answers to that question: Muslims believe Jesus was born of a virgin just like Christians, but they see him only as a great prophet to be admired but not God to be worshiped. Many Jewish people see Jesus as a teacher and failed political activist, but not the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Buddhists see Jesus as a perfectly enlightened being, full of compassion and love, but not God. Millions of others who don't embrace any particular religion don't know or aren't sure about Jesus at all.
Regardless of what others believe, the question remains for each of us to ask and answer; What child is this? 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the book of Isaiah was written, and in it, we see that God told a prophet of His plans and also told him exactly who this child would be. Among the descriptions, the child would have four distinct titles that tell us not only who Jesus is, but what He would do. To the broken, hurting, and confused, Jesus would be our Wonderful Counselor. Jesus doesn't just give us advice or His opinions, Jesus gives the words of truth and life. To the helpless, Jesus would be the Mighty God. Jesus would have all the attributes of God because He is God. Jesus is eternal, all-powerful, limitless in power, and nothing is hidden from Him unless He limits it Himself. To the orphaned and lonely, Jesus is the Everlasting Father who will never leave or abandon His family. He is a perfect father without any hint of failure. To the hopeless and weary, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus gives peace, not like the world, simply with a ceasefire or treaty and a temporary absence of war. Those are only temporary solutions that will not last. Jesus Himself would be peace, offering everlasting peace that would conquer all sin, death, and the trials of life. His peace is a perfect peace, no matter what the storm looks like.
A day will come when the question "What child is this?" will be known by all. The child who was laid in a manger will sit on a throne. The child worshiped by shepherds will be worshiped by kings and rulers. Every knee will bow down before Him and every tongue will confess the truth that this child is truly who He said He was, the Savior of the world. The reign of the Wonderful Counselor and Everlasting Father will never end and those who are a part of His family will be with Him for eternity.
Regardless of what others believe, the question remains for each of us to ask and answer; What child is this? 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the book of Isaiah was written, and in it, we see that God told a prophet of His plans and also told him exactly who this child would be. Among the descriptions, the child would have four distinct titles that tell us not only who Jesus is, but what He would do. To the broken, hurting, and confused, Jesus would be our Wonderful Counselor. Jesus doesn't just give us advice or His opinions, Jesus gives the words of truth and life. To the helpless, Jesus would be the Mighty God. Jesus would have all the attributes of God because He is God. Jesus is eternal, all-powerful, limitless in power, and nothing is hidden from Him unless He limits it Himself. To the orphaned and lonely, Jesus is the Everlasting Father who will never leave or abandon His family. He is a perfect father without any hint of failure. To the hopeless and weary, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus gives peace, not like the world, simply with a ceasefire or treaty and a temporary absence of war. Those are only temporary solutions that will not last. Jesus Himself would be peace, offering everlasting peace that would conquer all sin, death, and the trials of life. His peace is a perfect peace, no matter what the storm looks like.
A day will come when the question "What child is this?" will be known by all. The child who was laid in a manger will sit on a throne. The child worshiped by shepherds will be worshiped by kings and rulers. Every knee will bow down before Him and every tongue will confess the truth that this child is truly who He said He was, the Savior of the world. The reign of the Wonderful Counselor and Everlasting Father will never end and those who are a part of His family will be with Him for eternity.