One of my favorite passages relating to Christmas is found in Isaiah. 700 years prior to Christ’s birth, this prophet announced a Messiah would be born:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:}{)

The book of Isaiah contains so many prophecies about the coming Messiah that it is been referred to as the “Fifth Gospel.” Besides Psalms, it is the most quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament.

In today’s blog I want to reflect on the four names given to the Messiah. Four assurances we can hold on to as we face everyday life.

LET’S TALK

Here are four prayers I’m praying this Christmas, based the description Isaiah gave us about Jesus, our Messiah.

Prayer #1 

You are a Wonderful Counselor, please guide me!

The word “Wonderful” means “astonishing, exceptional, and distinguished.” That’s the kind of guidance we all need! We need it because we all mess up and get off track. The Bible says “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). In contrast, God wants you and me to hear His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). I long for God’s guidance. I want to hear his voice.

Prayer #2

You are the Mighty God, please strengthen me!  

Many of us are tried and discouraged. God never intended for you to do it by yourself. He wants you to come to him and depend on him.

The word “Mighty” means “victorious, conqueror.” It is the picture of one who has fought and won a battle. The amazing truth is that in our weakness, God is strongest. Jesus said to the Apostle Paul, “My power works best in weakness” (see 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The first step in realizing God’s power is to admit our inadequacies.

Prayer #3

You are the Everlasting Father, I need your care!

“Everlasting Father” describes the relationship that God desires to have with us! The word “father” in Hebrew is Ab – Aramaic “Abba” and appears in traditional Jewish liturgy which is a term of personal intimacy. The Psalmist wrote, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalms 103:13; Galatians 4:6).

God is not some impersonal force. He is close and loves you with a constant and eternal love. St. Augustine said that God “loves each one of us, as if there were only one of us.”

Prayer #4

You are the Prince of Peace, I need your comfort!

I read that 45% of Americans would prefer just to skip Christmas because of all the stress. Ironically, the real message of Christmas is a message of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The angels said, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth…” (Luke 2:14)

The word “Peace” in the Hebrew is “Shalom” which means “wholeness, contentment, or completeness.” Jesus can bring that to each of hearts and lives, if we let Him.

Corrie Ten Boom, who went through the Holocaust said “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

The prophet Isaiah promised, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

BEFORE YOU GO…

Which prayer do you need most this Christmas? I wish you the best Christmas ever!  Let’s trust Jesus more.