October 1, 2026
Long before Christ arrived on the earth, His coming was prophesied and recorded by one the the major prophets: “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” (Isaiah 9:6 NASB).
Seven centuries later, just as predicted, Jesus was born in a stable and placed in a manger in a little town down the road from Jerusalem called Bethlehem. As you prepare for another of our Lord’s birthday celebrations, take a few moments and closely ponder Isaiah’s description of the coming King.
Wonderful counselor- Counseling is huge in our current society, and rightly so. Fear, anxiety, and discontent abound. Mental health is a major issue and a hot topic of the day. For those who may not be struggling with such debilitating issues, yet still need guidance and direction, coaches and mentors have become an option.
As the prophet’s words suggest, Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor, the best there is. His fees are very affordable (no copay), and what’s more, He’s always available. In fact, if you’re a born-again believer, He’s living in you through the presence of the Holy Spirit. And while going to a professional for help may be necessary, make sure to take your concerns and issues to the Lord first.
Mighty God- What better time than Christmas is there to refocus on this major faith essential: Jesus is God in the flesh, a key truth that separates Christianity from all of the other counterfeit “isms” and false religions.
As the Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Paul writes, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity exists in bodily form” (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9).
Eternal Father- Whereas “Mighty God" describes an all-powerful creator/redeemer, “Everlasting Father” presents One who knows us individually and loves us unconditionally. David writes, “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). Hopefully, as those words suggest, you have or had a father who cares/cared deeply for you. If not, rest assured, you have a Heavenly Father who loves you immeasurably, One with whom you can spend eternity.
Prince of Peace- The Bible describes three kinds of peace. 1) Peace with God, which is synonymous with salvation. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
2) Peace of God- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7). Many of those who are at peace with God lack the peace of God. Hopefully, you’ll finish this year and go into 2026 basking in both.
Finally, there’s 3)future peace- As wonderful as that’s going to be, it’s not going to happen until Jesus comes to earth a second time. The enemies of God’s people will then be defeated. Jesus will reign supreme, establishing true justice and permanent peace.
I read about an artist who drew a wintry scene at dusk. It was gray and dreary, while a storm raged, with a lonely, desolate house situated among snow-laden trees. Then, with a brief stroke of a yellow crayon, the painter put a light in one window. The effect was spectacular, transforming the entire scene into one of consolation and gladness. Jesus, the “Light of the World,” can do the same for you this Christmas. No wonder they call Him Savior.
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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
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