The Christmas Gift

Sonia reminds me that it is time for my newsletter article for the December Church Newsletter. Time for a Christmas message – already!

When we think of the "Christmas Story", we generally conjure up images of Luke chapter 2. And why not? Our mind's eyes see shepherds, angels, etc. Our Christmas cards carry images of wise men on camels following a star shining down on a little town, far off in the distance. The nativity scenes in our homes and yards show the peasant couple staring lovingly at a new born baby, surrounded by various barnyard animals in a stable. These are all valid parts of the Christmas story. They all center on the Baby Jesus, and they have been passed down from generation to generation for two millennia. We must continue to tell the Christmas Story.

However, my favorite telling of the message wasn't written after the birth of the Savior. In fact, it was penned by the ancient Hebrew prophet, Isaiah, nearly 740 years BEFORE that "Silent Night" in Bethlehem. The prophet gives the first hint of God's Gift Child (the Savior) in chapter 7 verse 14. "The Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." What is the significance of the name Immanuel? It means "God with us". What a powerful message in that name. When we, as sinful men, could not go to where God was, He came to us! Oh! How he is to be praised.

The significance and character of the Gift Child is found in chapter 9, verse 6. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." This is none other than the "Immanuel" of 7:14. Isaiah speaks here in the "prophetic perfect" – seeing Him as though He had already been born. Indeed the plan of Salvation had been in place since "the foundation of the world". Let's take a look at what the prophet sees in this future Gift Child. Furthermore, consider how Jesus fulfills all of these titles.

"Wonderful Counselor" (pele yoets) is actually one term in the Hebrew language. A "wonder" is indicative of a miracle and "counselor" is often used in parallel with the counsel of a king. Thus, the counsel given by this God like King would be nothing less than miraculous. Jesus fits the bill perfectly. The Apostle Peter, preaching at Pentecost, reminds his audience that Jesus was "approved by God among you, by miracles, and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you all…" (Acts 2:22). His teaching (counsel) was also powerful as it was said of Him, "Never a man spoke like this man" (John 7:46).

The next term given (El Gibor) "The Mighty God" is the strongest of all the titles used here. "El" refers to God and is never used to refer to man. "Gibor" is literally "hero". Together they describe a heroic figure, who is no less than God, Himself. Who can read this without thinking of Jesus' powerful entrance into Jerusalem on that first Sunday preceding His death, burial and resurrection, when He entered the city as a conquering hero. He was greeted by multitudes waving Palm Branches and crying "Hosannah" (Save now!).

Everlasting Father ("abiad") is literally, "The Father of Eternity". Jesus is eternal. He confounded His critics when he said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad." The Jewish hearers bristled and asked Him how he could have ever been seen by Abraham, since He was not even fifty years old. Jesus answered famously, "Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am." (John 8: 56-58) Not only is He the Father of Eternity, He alone is the source of eternal life. "And this is the record, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the son has life; and he who has not the Son of God, has not life." (1 John 5:11-12)

Prince of Peace (Sar-Shalom) indicates that the mighty God will be a benevolent ruler bringing eternal peace on earth through the establishment of His kingdom. This is fulfilled in Jesus, who said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 27) Only Jesus gives the Peace that passes all earthly understanding.

The mysterious figure of "Immanuel" (7:14) is now clearly identified. He is none other than God incarnate. In the New Testament, the Apostle John tells us that Jesus (the Divine Expression) "Was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1: 14.

May you have a glorious Christmas, and may you know this Gift Child. Not just the little baby in the manger, but the victorious Christ who brings forgiveness of sin, a personal relationship with God, and eternal life.