The entrance of the king

Seven centuries before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah penned these words-

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Isa 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

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I'm always amazed as I read these verses. These two short verses have been the theme of songs, sermons and deep discussion for centuries. In this passage the prophet describes a baby who will be born, a human being, who will be called......

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Wonderful Counselor- The name used to describe the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The name given to Jesus in 1 John. This title is a name for God, and it's used to tell us that this baby will be that Wonderful Counselor.

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Mighty God- I can't imagine how the Jewish people dealt with this name. How could they ever imagine that God himself would become a human being to accomplish his own plan of salvation, but strange as it sounds there was a time in history when the creator of the universe became part of his own creation to provide salvation for the human race. God in flesh...what an amazing concept.

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Eternal Father- It's obvious as Isaiah writes, with the Spirit guiding him, that God doesn't want anyone to miss the point- HE is coming to planet earth. The very God of gods, King of kings will come and reside with us. He will become a nobody in a little town in Israel. The Eternal Father, the one and only God, will become a baby and grow up to live among us.

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Prince of Peace- And now to amaze us is another title. Not King of peace notice, but Prince of peace. It's subtle, but the implication is that, as the verses start to describe a baby born....a son given, we now understand something hidden for centuries that this Mighty God born to save us is the son of God. Not a son by birth, but a son by title. He is part of a Trinity. One God in three persons, and the son given is one with the Father who gave him. The Prince of Peace...the one who comes as prince over the peace kingdom. Until this one comes to reign peace will only be a dream for the human race.

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Now we know more clearly what the author meant, but what a glorious insight into the very nature and plan of God. And this one who will come has every intent in his plan to bring peace to a hostile world. It's only in Christ that we find the peace we each need. It's only through this baby born, this son given that we find God. It's only through trusting him as savior that we are forgiven of our sins.

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Christmas is about the greatest gift ever given....the gift of the son of God. Given to us who needed him most to meet our greatest needs...our need for a wonderful counselor, a God who is mighty enough to help us, a father who will never die and a prince to rule who will bring the peace we all long for. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and don't forget- it is all about Christ.