This time of year everyone is busy thinking about gifts - finding the perfect gift for someone, or maybe even making a list of gifts they themselves want to receive. But rarely do we stop to consider a gift that is right in front of us - all we have to do is unwrap it!
One of the greatest prophecies in the Bible is from Isaiah 9:6, "For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
"A child will be born for us...." That gift of Christ is directly for ALL of us. He wasn't born for God, or for Himself, He was born for US! Let that sink in for a few minutes. Born for you, born for me.
As we find ourselves wrapped up in shopping, lights, parties and cooking, we also can't help but notice that life is still happening. Circumstances haven't stopped or changed just because of the holidays. I think God intended for us to unwrap the gift He sent very intentionally to us.
I don't know what you are experiencing this holiday season, but here are four specific gifts just waiting for you from Isaiah 9:6:
1. Wonderful Counselor - the idea of counselor is "one who speaks and urges certain directions of actions or thoughts" and wonderful means to "focus on the power of the wonder." If you find yourself in the middle of decision making about a job, a house, a relationship, a life change, or making a large purchase, or even something small like who to bless this Christmas season - Jesus is your help in decision making! There is power in allowing Jesus in on our decision making processes to guide us in just the direction He wants us to go. And my track record proves that His choices turn out better than mine every single time.
2. Mighty God - this phrase refers to "Jehovah the One True God" who is also a "valiant warrior." I have many friends currently fighting battles of cancer, finances, depression, diseases, relationships and so many more things. We have been given the gift of a God who FIGHTS FOR US! Often we just need to be still and allow Him to fight for us. He is our deliverer and our refuge in the storm.
3. Eternal Father - here Father means "one who causes something to begin" or an "adoptive father" while eternal means for an "unlimited duration of time." This is the gift I cling to because I miss my Daddy so much! Sometimes our earthly fathers aren't here - due to distance, death, or by choice. We have an Eternal Father who never leaves, is always with us - from before we were born til long after we have drawn our last breath. And He will be with us throughout eternity.
4. Prince of Peace - peace refers to "completeness, safeness or contentment" and Prince is someone "who oversees a task with authority." Our Prince of Peace has the authority to complete us because nothing else truly can make us whole. He protects us and keeps us safe. He makes favorable circumstances to abound that we often can't even comprehend.
The beginning of the verse tells us that the "government will be on His shoulders." Our shoulders are where we typically bear our burdens or we carry our stresses. Why do we do this when Jesus came to do that for us in these four ways as a counselor, a warrior, a father, and a prince with great authority.
Wherever this finds you this Christmas, you have an invaluable gift placed right in front you. One for which there is no substitute and none greater. Which gift do you need to unwrap?
