Last Sunday, we drove to a local Christian University for an afternoon performance of Handel’s Messiah.
My wife and I have made a tradition of attending a performance of this masterpiece every Christmas season. Usually, it kicks off the advent season and sets the spiritual tone for our celebration.
Advent is a time to look back at the coming of the Christ child in the manger at Bethlehem. It is also a time to look forward with hope to His second coming in His full glory.
We are always amazed when the program notes explain that Handel wrote their entire three hour “Messiah” in less than thirty days. One of my favorite pieces this year was “For Unto Us a Child is Born.”
In that beautiful choral arrangement, the lyrics are found in Isaiah 9:6. In fact, I was so moved that I developed an advent lesson for my Sunday School class based on the name of Christ.
We looked at His coming as a helpless baby foretold in the prophet Isaiah.
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14 NIV
“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.” - Isaiah 9:6 NIV
The Names of Christ
Immanuel
God is with us.
Many children feel loneliness and fear and need to know Jesus is always with them. Whenever we feel lonely, he is there. Whenever we are afraid, He is there.
Advent is a time to be reminded that no matter what, Jesus is present to give comfort, care, and peace.
Wonderful Counselor
Every child has situations that require some guidance and wisdom.
They also face decisions, some of them incredibly challenging and difficult. Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor full of excellent advice, always ready to listen and keeps everything “confidential.”
You can ask Him anything as He stands ready to give is perfect counsel.
Advent reminds us that He gives us guidance for our most difficult decisions.
Mighty God
Jesus is the Mighty God in the flesh.
The same God who parted the Red Sea, closed the lion’s mouth, gave David courage to face Goliath, and raised Lazarus from the dead can overcome any power we face.
Children face problems and challenges and many of them can seem overwhelming. In many corners of the world children experience trauma, loss and severe trials and tribulations.
Advent is a time to remember that Jesus has enormous power to overcome any and all obstacles we face.
Everlasting Father
Through Christ we can belong to the family of God forever.
Boys and girls long to belong and Jesus provides a forever home where boys and girls can experience His unconditional love, encouragement, and support.
Sometimes our earthly fathers fail us and even leave us. Jesus is our forever Father who will never fail us or leave us. He stays with us, protects us, provides for us, and leads us as the perfect Father.
Prince of Peace
Every child has relational challenges with family and friends and feels the relational dissonance that is part of our broken world.
Jesus can bring peace to those relationships. He can bring healing, reconciliation and real peace with parents, siblings, friends at school and in every other corner of life. Most important, Jesus gives us peace with God.
Through His death and resurrection, we are at peace with God and with each other! Advent is a celebration of relational healing and peace!
This year as you celebrate Advent in your church, children’s ministry and home remember these names of Christ and the deep and rich practical meaning they have for boys and girls.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!