Advent: Ready…Set….Wait!

Today is the first Sunday of the Advent season, a time of hope and waiting. What are we hoping and waiting for? Nothing less than the arrival of Jesus Christ, the Messiah!

Advent is the season of reflective preparation for Jesus’ birth, as well as the recognition that we are now waiting for  Christ’s expected return in the Second Coming.

As we reflect on the meaning of these four weeks before Christmas, let’s take a look back in history at the familiar  prophecy in Isaiah 9:6–

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

In his blog, Advent: A Season of Preparation, author David Crews writes that this particular scripture shows us the message and meaning of Christmas. The prophet Isaiah gives us five awe-inspiring names for our Lord Jesus that encourage us, thrill us, and fill us with hope at this Christmas season.

Wonderful. When Jesus performed His many miracles, the Scripture says, “The people wondered.” (Luke 11:14)

Counselor. After listening to Jesus speaking during the Festival of Booths, the temple police were tasked with arresting Him for His “heretical” teaching. Instead, they did not arrest Jesus, and the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, explaining, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46)

The Mighty God. Jesus is the God-Man. He said that He and the Father are one. (John 10:30)

The Everlasting Father. It was by Jesus, the living Word, that all things were created. He is the designer of the whole universe. (John 1:3; Hebrews 11:3)

The Prince of Peace. There will never be lasting peace on earth until Jesus comes again to reign in righteousness. But He is also the Prince of Peace in other ways. None can have peace with God apart from Him and the peace that He made through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20).

During this season, while we wait for the birth of the One who will change the world, let’s meditate on who Jesus is. I leave you this morning with the London Symphony Orchestra’s recording of George Frideric Handel’s “For unto us a Child is born,” from The Messiah.

In the race that has become the Christmas season, let us not forget that this is a season of waiting. And let us keep our eyes and hearts focused on the star that guides us to our Savior, the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.