The name of Jesus is a reason to celebrate

Every year on December 25, the world stops to remember and acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus is the most widely used, read, sung, and spoken name in the history of the world, and at no other time is this more evident than at Christmas.

What is it about the name of Jesus that demands such a response? An announcement of his birth happened 700 years before Jesus was even born. The prophet Isaiah declares his four titles and tells us who Jesus is and what he is about:

“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 9:6

A Son is given

Isaiah tells us that we are given a son, the Son. The birth of Jesus is foretold as a gift to the world. This child who is born, the Son of God, has four names, which carry significant meaning to the world which he was given. In the birth of Jesus we have a Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, and a Prince of Peace. Each of these names gives us reason to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

Wonderful Counselor

What is so wonderful about a baby born in a manger amid dirt and manure that would bring with it awe, amazement, and wonder? As we grow older, it’s easy to lose our sense of astonishment at this world, how it was created, and become bitter and disillusioned. We all have problems, and we are all searching for answers and fulfillment. In Jesus, we are given an all-loving, ever-present, always-faithful Counselor who speaks to us, guides us and directs us. He is the Counselor who came to bring us real hope, abundant life, and true fulfillment through himself.

Mighty God

When we get answers, we often either don’t like what we hear or things seem impossible to pull off. We need help from outside ourselves to walk out the life we are called to live. Jesus is a Mighty God with divine power that he gifts to us through the Holy Spirit. This is the power that fed five thousand and raised people from the dead. That is power beyond power, and we are given that same power to know him, to love him, to love others, and to be the kind of men and women he designed us to be.

Everlasting Father

Jesus has always existed and while he was born into the world, he is also the creator of the world and everything in it. Even more so, he entered into the world to rescue and ransom his creation so that we might be reconciled to God and adopted as sons and daughters into his family. He gave you life and breath. In Jesus we are joined to a Father who wants to know us, be intimately in relationship with us, and carry us through this life and into eternal life.

Prince of Peace

Christmas can be a difficult time for many of us. We are reminded of very hurtful memories, the death of loved one, friend or a spouse who walked out on us. You may be on the doorstep of divorce, have lost your job, or perhaps you are reminded that our families are messed up. It’s not hard to see that there is trouble in life, there is trouble in our country, and there is trouble in this world. Where is the peace?

Peace comes through relationship with Jesus who reconciles us as adopted sons and daughters of God. This hits our deepest need on a profound level. The peace that Isaiah speaks of is a very real, transcendent peace with God that comes from Jesus Christ and through Jesus Christ. This peace brings wholeness and harmony because our value, dignity, and worth comes from our Creator, knowing that—no matter what happens in our life, no matter what we do wrong or even what we do right—he doesn’t love me any less or any more. His love for his children, for those who hold to Jesus Christ as their Savior, is eternal and constant.

This is great news! In Jesus we have been given an abundance of grace and mercy. The birth of Jesus is the greatest news and the greatest gift that we could ever be given. It is a cause for celebration!

With this in mind, we are excited to invite you to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve with you in Downtown Seattle. Come celebrate the birth of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace.