December 9, 2010

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. Isaiah 9:6-7

It's comfortable to think of the baby Jesus, warm, innocent, bright eyes looking into ours, lying in a manger or even in our arms, to think of doing things for a baby. But are we missing something in Isaiah's wonderful prophecy of Christmas?

Isaiah says that he will be our "Wonderful Counselor." Is he? Are we careful to seek his counsel even in the small things daily? Do we even seek his Counsel in the big things? Do we seek his counsel regarding our lives, our work, the on-going work and ministry of our church, or do we go about all this devising our own plans for success? This baby is destined to be our Counselor! That's God's plan.

And he's to be our "Prince of Peace. Later Jesus said we'd always have wars, so that peace must not have been world peace. Was Isaiah referring to the peace that can dwell in our hearts when we know him, the peace that Jesus spoke of in John 14, "that passes understanding"? Surely Isaiah meant the quiet calm that prevails in us even when all around is chaos, just because Jesus has been born in our hearts.

Father, thank ou for this wonderful baby who as becoem our Counselor and peace. Amen