A Child Is Born

Isaiah 9:6 states in the NKJV:"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." We must remember that the story of Jesus Christ did not end at the stable. He did not remain a babe in a manger. He became a man, lived a sacrificial life and His very reason for coming into this world was to die for the sin of mankind. Through His death and resurrection He made available the means by which we can be saved. It doesn't happen automatically- just because He did this. We must take the gift that He gave us- eternal life- give Him our life in exchange and allow His life to flow through us to accomplish those things He desires. We must turn from our old ways- sin--- repent-- and turn toward His new and living way- being filled with His spirit so that we can become that sacrifice unto Him.

This verse says that His name is Wonderful----Strong's states that it means a "a marvelous thing". There is a song that says-- "How wonderful, how marvelous, is my Savior's love to me." Truly how wonderful is God's love to us that He gave us His only begotten Son to be our Savior! How many songs do we sing about that Wonderful Name- the Name of Jesus!!

The verse goes on to say His name will be called Counselor. How much money is spent today on counselors or some people use psychics and fortune tellers. Our Counselor is Jesus Christ. He leads us and guides us in the right way. So many times I have prayed for guidance or advice on some issue- and He has always come through! He certainly is our Counselor.

Mighty God-could be meant as "hero", our Divine Warrior! Oh I could go on about Him being our Mighty God! He has triumphed over sin and death for sure!

Then His name is called Everlasting Father. He cares for us as a loving father. Many today do not know this kind of relationship. The devil has stolen the fathers away from the scene. But He will be that Father to the fatherless. He will take that place and love us as a father. His love even goes beyond what we could know or imagine from an earthly father.

And then, finally- but not at all least-- His name is called Prince of Peace. He brings peace to our hearts. There is so much said about peace today and especially at this time of year. But the only real peace that we can truly have is the peace of Jesus Christ. That word Peace- is not a feeling. It is a fact. Jesus Christ made Peace between man and God. There once was a great gulf between God and man, but Jesus Christ made a bridge to cover that mighty gulf. Through His death, burial and resurrection, we now have a passage over that gulf to God and it is Jesus Christ Himself. It is as if He laid His body across that gulf and we are able to pass over on Jesus Christ!!

He was the Supreme Sacrifice for the sin of mankind. Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, everyone has been born into sin. There is none righteous, no not one(Romans 3:10). All have sinned and come short of the glory of God(Romans 3:23). We needed Someone to take our sin and shame away. Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself on the cross. He offered His body as a sacrifice to the Father- the only One who could pardon us. When Jesus died on the cross, our sins were pardoned. He not only forgives our sins, but because Christ rose from the dead, He gives us new Life by His Spirit. When we repent of our sin and ask Jesus to take over our lives, baptized in His name and are filled with His Holy Spirit, we become new creatures(Acts 2:38,39). He comes and lives with us by His Spirit and we are new. ALL of these things are possible because of the birth and then the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During this busy season- take some time to reflect on your relationship with Jesus Christ. We all need areas of improvement. Some need to make that start. Others need to make a new and fresh commitment.Wherever you are in your walk with the Lord- ask Him to reveal to you the areas where you need to make improvements, possibly repent of wrong doing or of just being lukewarm with Him. Don't let this beautiful season of the celebration of our Lord's birth go by without really getting serious with Him. He was the Supreme Sacrifice for us. We need to give our lives over to Him as a living sacrifice every day. Let His Spirit and power take you through the coming year. We don't know what lies ahead. His return is very near. He said that He would return and He will. We must be ready. Don't let this opportunity slip away.