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.
– Isaiah 9:6-7
In the Old Testament, some of the prophecies about Christ are mysterious statements. They were so bold and so large that they were treasured through the generations until they were fulfilled and finally understood. Isaiah’s oracle about a son who would be born–Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and all the rest–was one of those landmark prophecies. In that moment of inspiration, Isaiah revealed Jesus would be Mighty God.
After Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, his followers would piece together what he said and did, and they would conclude that Jesus really was one with God the Father in a way that is appropriate to call him divine. The doctrine of the Trinity would be defined later, but in Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming one are the seeds of this truth.
In the Jewish tradition, nothing was more important than belief in the “oneness” of God. Not two gods, not a thousand gods, but one and only one God. So what could happen when, in Bethlehem, Magi from the east came bearing gifts fit for a king but also worshipped him? Why did Jesus allow fishermen in a boat to worship him after he calmed a storm? Or what about Mary falling at Jesus’ feet and worshiping him there in the garden after his resurrection? Or the disciple Thomas falling at his feet and saying, “My Lord and my God”?
Nobody at the start of Jesus’ life, nor during his adult ministry, even hinted at anything suggesting there is more than one God. But because of who God is; because God is higher than human comprehension; because God said “us” from the very beginning: “Let us make man in our image” (Gen. 1:26); and because the coming one would be called Immanuel, “God with us” (Matt. 1:22-23), we can believe that Christmas represents the true entry of God into human affairs. The same God who created humanity also took humanity on himself when it suited his purposes-to save that same humanity. The God who created the world entered it through a human birth in the town of Bethlehem.
Not any kind of god would do that. Only the One, true, Mighty God.
Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for the hope and expectation that came through the words of the prophets. We believe you are mighty. We believe you can do whatever you wish. We believe you came in the flesh in Jesus.
[Excerpt from Christmas Joy: A Devotional, by Mel Lawrenz]
I have enjoyed the Advent messages you have sent, and I have loved being able to share them with others. Thank You.
This is so beautiful and gives hope.
Powerful words. Thank you the reading uplifted me. I love this owesome God. There is hope in this god. Without him we cant do anything. Glory be to the most high.
We need to prayer more for our nation, that God will pour out his Holy spirit on all people to help them read the bible and receive his word into themselves! I went to the store to buy Christmas cards to send out to my family and friends, and was amazed that all the boxed cards were secular, and I finally found one and only one of Christ in Christmas!!! All the while I was in the store there were NO Christmas carols, only a secular song about Christmas time, but no mention of the Lord or savior!! Christmas without Christ is nothing but emptiness and foolishness!! The world is trying to steal Christmas from Christ!! We believer must not let that happen!!! Please pray everyone!! Pray that God will move in the hearts of men and women everywhere so they can know he is CHRISTMAS!!!