A Child born to die!

Isaiah 9:6 (New King James Version)

6 For unto us a Child is born, 
Unto us a Son is given; 
And the government will be upon His shoulder. 
And His name will be called 
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Long before Christ was born, His birth was expected. 

Luke 2:9-14 (New King James Version)
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
14 “ Glory to God in the highest, 
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

This child was born with the destiny of dying for our sins. Imagine His mother. Looking into her beautiful son's eyes, knowing that he was there to fulfill the prophecies. Mary must have had such mixed emotions. Did she know that she was raising her son to die? Did she know that she would be watching him suffer horrible atrocities at the hands of the Roman soldiers? It's hard to know what she was thinking that night, but we do know one thing, the scriptures said that He was to be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. As a human mother, she must have felt some pride (at least I would have). 

How do you react when you hear those words? Have you ever stopped to think about those words?

Wonderful Counselor (The Message Bible uses the words Amazing Counselor)...the person we go to when we need to talk. Is He that to you? Do you bring him your problems and talk with him when you have nobody else to turn to? Is He the person that you trust with all your problems? Quite simply stated, the word counselor means: the person who gives you advice. When was the last time you turned to Jesus for advice?

Mighty God (Strong God in The Message Bible) Jesus is your strength and your God. He has the biggest shoulders and He always knows the right thing to do. Who could be a better person to turn to in your time of trouble. 

Everlasting Father (Eternal Father in the Message Bible). He is still always with you. When you just need a Daddy, he is waiting to put his big arms around you and let you cry on those big shoulders. When you need to share something in your life, good or bad, he is always there, never failing!

Prince of Peace, in the message Bible it says Prince of Wholeness. I believe that this part of the passage is speaking to the wholeness of our spirit. When we are broken, He will make us whole, he will give us Peace, and as the scripture says in John 14:27 (New King James Version)
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This is the kind of Peace that you cannot get from any worldly thing, but the Peace that comes from your Heavenly Father.

Take the time to think about that Holy Night, this Christmas season. Jesus, who willingly came to earth, as a baby born just to die. Take the time to make him your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father, your Prince of Peace.

May the Peace of God be with you this holiday season, as you celebrate with your families.  May you remember why we celebrate Christmas.  May you have the well-being of knowing that He is always with you and he will never leave you or foresake you.  Keep your eyes on Him this season!

Merry Christmas!