God’s Christmas Card #5: Titles, Part One

Isaiah 9:6 is God’s Christmas card to a weary world. “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.”

God promises that a child would be born and a son would be given. The birth of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of this promise. But He ascribes to the child – His own Son – four royal titles encompassing eight majestic attributes. All three members of the Trinity are included in these titles because they are One working in communion, yet each with separate roles. This post will examine the first two designations; the next one will focus on the last two.

Wonderful
The word “wonder” means “extraordinary, marvelous, surpassing, and hard to understand.” The term “wonderful” can be defined as “something full of wonder.” Can you think of a time when you were full of wonder? That’s how I felt as a child on Christmas morning when I saw all of the presents under the tree. Remember?

More recently, I was driving in southern Wisconsin when something magnificent suddenly appeared in the sky. A montage of colors – purple, pink, and lavender – danced in heavens. They swirled about forming one shape, then gradually morphed into something else altogether. It was a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors painted across the night’s sky. Every car on the road pulled onto the shoulder so people could watch this amazing display of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. It was a night full of wonder. Click here to see some examples.

Counselor
The Hebrew meaning of this term is “one who advises, consults, brings purpose, and helps devise or plan.” In Christ, God has given us access to divine wisdom. At any time, all we have to do is ask God in faith for His wisdom, and He promises to supply it (James 1:5-6).

I was once offered the job of leading the children’s ministry at a church. I had all of the credentials and experience needed – vision casting, team building, interpersonal skills, and communication strengths. But God reminded me that there was one thing I lacked – a passion for working with children. I turned down the offer and have never looked back. It was God’s whisper that led me to make a wise decision for me – and for the church.

Mighty
Anyone who has witnessed a space launch will never forget it.  Your eyes are momentarily blinded by an expanding fireball in shades of red and orange and yellow.  Your nostrils are flooded with the acrid smell of liquid oxygen emanating from the thick, billowing clouds of smoke.  The pungent residue of liquid hydrogen saturates your taste buds as chemicals combust in a flash.  Your eardrums ache from the deafening roar of rocket engines piercing the silence at ear-shattering decibels.  Your body is jolted as the ground continuously vibrates with cascading waves of motion. Out of this simultaneous assault on your five senses, you watch in awe as the spacecraft rises majestically from the launch pad.

That’s the power of mankind; but it’s nothing compared to the power of God. God created the universe and holds it together through His mighty power. There is no thing or no one that’s more powerful than God. Paul writes, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection …” (Philippians 3:9). That same resurrection power is available today to those who ask for it in faith.

God
Jesus is not only the Son of God – He IS God – one of the three members of the Trinity. He rules and reigns; provides and sustains; guides and leads; and gives and takes away. He is the Great I Am; the first and last; the beginning and end; the Alpha and Omega. He is OUR God, and we are HIS children. Amen … and amen.

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