Wonderful

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6-7

wonderful

/ˈwʌndəfʊl,ˈwʌndəf(ə)l/

adjective

adjective: wonderful

1. inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvellous.

In this prophecy about the birth of Jesus we’re given some of His names. He is wonderful. The circumstances of His birth, that God would give His Son to become a man on Earth, to live and die for us, fills us with wonder. We wonder in the sense that we are amazed. We also wonder in the sense that we are puzzled. We can’t quite figure it out. Who can fathom the greatness of God? Who can understand the deep relationship of our Heavenly Father and His only Son, Jesus, separate yet together in a oneness deeper than we can imagine.

 The Christmas story is filled with wondrous events- the appearance of angels, Mary’s miraculous conception, John leaping in the womb of Elizabeth, a guiding star, protective warnings, a sky filled with song.

In the gospels we see the wonders that Jesus performed- miracles of healing, deliverance and provision, raising the dead, calming the sea. We also see the wonder of His character- His honour of His Father God, His wisdom and mercy and strength and forgiveness. We also see the wonder of changed lives- the effect that Jesus had on so many of the people that He met. Nobody who had an encounter with Jesus went away unchanged.

So it is with each one of us today. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and for evermore. Nothing that we do can make us free from a life of sin. Only what Christ did for us changes us. This Christmas the most wonderful gift you could give yourself is to pray a prayer of faith and commitment to Him. He will be true and faithful and loving to you for the rest of your life.

Dear Heavenly Father God,

I come before You acknowledging You as the only one God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me. Thank You, Father God, for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, honouring You and making a way for sinful people to come back into relationship with You. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. Please forgive my sin and cleanse me I pray. I receive Jesus Christ into my life to be my Lord and Saviour for the rest of my days. May You give me strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to live my life as a Christian. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen