Pastor Pat Edwards 12/25/2005
Grace Baptist Church in Bountiful, Utah

I assume for many of us the Christmas gifts have been opened. It may have happened at a family gathering last night or with the little ones at 6 AM this morning. Maybe it was a combination of those and maybe a few are still waiting for this afternoon or evening because your loved ones are working or still traveling over the river and through the woods. Did you get what you wanted? That special toy, the particular piece of sports equipment or latest electronic gadget? For many of us our wants are less and less fulfilled by physical gifts. Some of that is due to maturity but I suspect some of it is also due to our changing circumstances in life. If I don’t have many things on the much-requested gift list it’s not necessarily because I’m super spiritual. Some of it is because I’m not as financially strapped as I was when I was paying for braces and dance lessons or putting kids through college. If there’s something I want or need I no longer have to wait for a birthday or Christmas and hope I get it. I can afford to buy it when I need it. Additionally the list of things I need is getting shorter and shorter as I get older and older - with the exception of medical devices. I long ago crossed off my list the things that will increase the likelihood of breaking my neck. But I’ve also discovered as I get older most of the best gifts are relational. A pleasant day with my family around me laughing and enjoying one another’s company means more than the newest DVD or tool for my shop.

By now most of you should know where I’m going with this topic. Of all the gifts we ever receive in our lives the best, the most significant, the longest lasting is a child born to us. In one of the great prophecies of scripture Isaiah declares For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.9.6-7

The kind of person this child will be is revealed in the names Isaiah prophesies. There are four of them and each name is composed of two words: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. One scholar suggests the first two names reveal his divine wisdom and power and the last two names his accomplishments. But before we look at those names more closely let’s also note that all future government will rest on his shoulders. He will govern from David’s throne with justice and righteousness forever.

There it is - what we all wish for - world peace. At home and in our neighborhoods no more crime, no more violence. In the larger world no more terrorism, no more Middle East crises, no more communism, no more fascism and not surprisingly, no more democracy for the kingdom of God will be established will perfect laws and their perfect implementation. And that’s because of the new king who has the perfect resume. The first qualification listed on his resume is Wonderful counselor. In him reside all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The apostle Paul writes, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1.15-17 The one capable of designing, creating and sustaining the universe has no need of counsel; he doesn’t need an instruction guide or an owner’s manual. And of course the advice he gives is important and valuable. It’s more than "buy low, sell high" for it deals not with the things that go bye-bye so quickly and unexpectedly but with the stuff that lasts forever. So today remember you have been given the gift of a Wonderful Counselor, one who never makes a mistake in the advice he gives.

His second qualification is Mighty God. We’ve already seen some of that might in creating and holding the universe together. Nothing is beyond his power so when he is for you, you have nothing to fear. But the Hebrew word translated "mighty" also means heroic. Consider Hebrews 12. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. His might isn’t limited to feats of great strength or displays of power but also in self-control, determination and sacrifice. He chose to endure the cross despite the fact that he would suffer as no person ever did in all of created history. That’s heroic and throughout history we have always honored those who sacrifice their lives to save others. Yes, Jesus is God and unlimited in his power but he limited that power to become our hero, the author and perfecter of our faith.

The third qualification on his resume is that he is called Everlasting Father. Now don’t get mixed up thinking this means Jesus is God the Father. The name teaches us about his fatherly care, like that of a shepherd for his flock. Isaiah 63.16 declares "...you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. Jesus our redeemer is called Everlasting Father to illustrate how loving his relationship with us is and that it lasts forever. Isaiah 40 reveals both his power and his fatherly care, 10See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

The fourth title on his resume is Prince of Peace. The dictionary defines peace as: a state of tranquillity or quiet, a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions, harmony in personal relations. Jesus tells his followers in John 14.27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. He brings peace between God and his wayward children and the peace Jesus gives is not based on the changing situations of this world but on all those eternal things we’ve already examined, his wisdom, his power and his fatherly care. In my reading this week I came across this story that’s been circulating on the internet for years even though I just came across it. I don’t know its source but it’s a great Christmas story that indicates Jesus’ care and counsel when a little boy finds himself in a jam.

A grade school class was putting on a Christmas play that included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. In that class one little boy wanted very much to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, his biggest rival was given that part, and he was assigned to be the innkeeper instead. He was really bitter about this. So during all the rehearsals he kept plotting in his mind what he might do the night of performance to get even with his rival who was Joseph. Finally, the night of the performance, Mary and Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the door of the inn, and the innkeeper opened the door and asked them gruffly what they wanted. Joseph answered, "We'd like to have a room for the night." Dramatically the innkeeper threw the door open wide and said, "Great, come on in and I'll give you the best room in the house." For a few seconds poor little Joseph didn't know what to do, and a long silence ensued. Finally though, thinking quickly on his feet, Joseph looked in past the innkeeper, first to the left and then to the right and said, "No wife of mine is going to stay in a dump like this. Come on, Mary, let's go to the stable." And once again the play was back on course.

When like this little boy you find yourself in a predicament - whether large or small - just remember "to us a son is given" who is a wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. This is the greatest present ever given.