Wonderful Counsellor
Most of you know that I have a band called CrossRoad, and for the next three weeks I want to share the Christmas songs that we have written, and reflect on some of the words as we enter into the Christmas season.
The first song is based on a prophecy about Christ's birth from Isaiah 9:6-7. My friend Richard Pratt wrote it, and this is how it starts:
For unto us a Child is born
Unto us a Son is given
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
The Wonder of Christmas in Christ
I've always loved these descriptions of Jesus in Isaiah's prophecy. He would be born as our wonderful Counsellor. Now, some translations have a comma between those two words, saying that His name would be Wonderful, and His name would be Counsellor. There's something lovely about that I think – He is truly wonderful isn't He? And Christmas has been called "the most wonderful time of the year" – I think that's because the season is defined by Christ's coming, which is the most wonderful thing that ever happened.
I pray that this year you and I will have a wonderful Christmas! Because for this month we will be especially aware of the amazing truth that the Son of God was born in a manger, and that the world was changed forever by His coming.
Finding Guidance in Our Wonderful Counsellor
And His name is also "Counsellor," according to Isaiah. He is the expert at giving counsel to those who seek Him. Nowadays counselling is quite a common thing. We have people who train in counselling, so that others in need might come to them and find some help as they try to navigate life's challenges. Have you ever considered that counselling is a Christlike thing to do? If we are to be true counsellors, we need to be like Him in the way we listen carefully to people as they pour out their hearts, and point them to the God who gives life its meaning.
Perhaps for us this December can be a season of going to Jesus for these two things – to marvel at how wonderful He is, and sing His praise with joy; and to receive His counsel as we read His Word and pray.
Let’s have a wonderful Christmas, by spending it in the presence of Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor.
