Merry Christmas! Most of us have already given and opened our gifts by now. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. Usually it is the one whose birthday it is who gets the presents. However, as we read in today’s Scripture from the prophet Isaiah, God gave us a gift, a very special gift. This gift is described in this short, brief passage. What is this gift? Let’s take a quick look into our Scripture.
As Isaiah opens in verses 1-2, he speaks of people who are in darkness. He is not speaking of a physical darkness, as if they live where there is no sunshine. Isaiah is speaking of spiritual darkness. The people the prophet is talking about are in spiritual darkness and the shadow of death. In verse 1, Isaiah spoke of the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, which were in the far north of Israel, in an area called Galilee. These were the people he was speaking of as being in darkness. When the ten northern tribes split into a separate kingdom, they very quickly fell away from the Lord into terrible idolatry and spiritual darkness. These were the ones that Jesus would spend the larger part of His ministry with, and bring His saving light to (Matthew 4:15-16).
This is a dark world, overrun with violence, greed, rebellion, and anguish. Ever since the Fall, which brought sin into the world, we have been dwelling in darkness and the shadow of death. In a time of great darkness, God promised to send a light. God’s mercy sent Jesus to dispel the darkness of sin. No matter how dark it gets, believers are not forsaken. The Light of Jesus continues to shine for us.
In verse 6 Isaiah proceeds to describe the gift that God gave us. The prophet speaks of a special Child, a Son that was given. Isaiah further describes this Child as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Jesus is the Child that was born, the Son that was given that Holy Night in Bethlehem. Jesus was both born and given. The Lord declared that “a child will be born” signifying a human birth. Yet at the same time “a son will be given”. God gave His Son so that those who believe in Him would receive eternal life.
The first Name that Scripture calls this special Child and Son is Wonderful Counselor. Jesus is exceptional, distinguished, and without peer. We can come to Him in prayer when we need help, and He is there to guide in the right way. Jesus is the Word, and He is the One who gives the right counsel. Yahweh is a Triune God, and in the Gospel of John we read where Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, spoke of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, as the Counselor or Helper (John 15:26; 16:7-15).
This Child will also be called Mighty God. Jesus, the Son who was given, was also revealed to be the Mighty God when the angel of God came to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:23). Jesus told the disciples, Philip specifically, that He was One with God the Father (John 14:9). We read the same in the opening verses of the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus, the Messiah, is not just a great teacher or leader. He is God Himself, incarnate.
The next Name given is Everlasting Father. How can the Child, the Son, also be the Father? This was another indication in the Old Testament of Yahweh being a Triune God, being the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is one with the Father, as He is called both Child, Son, and then Father in the same verse. As the everlasting Father, Jesus is timeless. He had no beginning, and will have no end.
The final Name that Isaiah gave is Prince of Peace. Jesus was born the Prince of Peace. The word “peace” or “shalom” in Hebrew means well-being, flourishing, and wholeness. Sin made us enemies with God. Jesus made it possible for us to have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Sin broke human relationships, however Jesus made possible peace with others.
Jesus was the gift that God gave to us that first Christmas Day. A gift of the Son of God, a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, today would be the best day to call upon Him to save your soul.
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