Are you running from one activity to the next and adding to your To Do list rather than checking things off? Does your impatience soar while you wait in a supermarket line or try to catch a sale that expires in minutes on a merchant’s online site? Maybe you’ve found yourself in the wrong lane during heavy traffic. Or, as a friend recently relayed, showed up at a home for a party on the wrong night!
An unfortunate trademark of the holiday season is busyness: too much activity, unclear thinking, and not enough time.
The Christmas season should be the most peaceful time of the year. Yet the declaration of “peace on earth” doesn’t characterize our days, thoughts, or relationships.
This week, I invite you to focus on Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) This familiar passage written 700 years before the birth of Christ, often appears in our personal devotions. We hear it read in church programs and sung in the magnificent Messiah by Handel.
“For to us a child is born,to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Four realities accompany Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of Christ. These truths can be the antidote for our tense, frantic days, and lead us to evaluate, adjust, and rest. Together let’s consider the gifts available to us to sustain our peace.
- If you are looking for guidance and wisdom as you deal with priorities, activities, and relationships this season: He is our Wonderful counselor.
- If you have unbelievable and challenging obstacles to overcome: He is our Mighty God.
- If you feel excluded or alone: He is our everlasting Father.
- If you are torn in different directions, in a relational conflict, or living with a loss, He is the Prince of Peace.
Each name declares who Jesus would be and what He will do, even now..Scripture is filled with references to Jesus as our wisdom, the One who overcomes, our companion, and peacemaker. One is:
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 NLT)
Can you find others? Perhaps this week you can also spend time meditating on Jesus’ names and how you can rely on them, not only in this busy season, but every day.
Is there a name that is particularly meaningful to you? Offer it as a prayer and see how Jesus responds.
He lives up to His name.
What a wonderful blessing indeed Ms. Marilyn. God’s peace, which is refilled whenever we pause to think on His Son and share in Their enduring love, brings us great joy and soul comfort. As you remind us, we just have to step out of this world and into God’s to find true peace, joy, and rest. God’s blessings gentle lady; and Merry CHRISTmas my friend.
Blessings to you this season, JD.
Thank you for the reminder to find quiet in this busy season and receive God’s peace.
You’re welcome, Nancy and a peaceful Christmas to you and your family. Marilyn
His many names characterize who He is. He fulfills every aspect of our lives. The greatest gift we can give ourselves is to keep our minds stayed in Him. Merry Christmas, Marilyn!
I’ve been listening to the old Gaither song–“There’s something about that name” and it reinforces His sufficiency for us–now to rely on that truth! Merry Christmas, Barbara.
You are so right — how ironic that the time when we’re celebrating the Prince of Peace can seem so peace-less because we’re caught up in so many other things. Thanks for reminding us how each of His names shows how He helps us in whatever situation we’re facing. Merry Christmas to you!
I agree-that is what prompted me to sit and reflect. Thank you for joining the conversation, Leigh.
Thank you for the memory, Ms Marilyn. Sometime back in the eighties our little church in the mountains grew fast enough to build an addition. Once constructed, our pastor’s wife determined to use those names from Isaiah as decorative trim all the way around the top of the walls. We lived those names every Sunday. Praise His Holy name.
Yes! Front and center where those names and truth belong. Thanks for sharing your experience. Marilyn
Love the encouragement to pray to God using the names He authorized. We’re all sensitive to the sound of our name, regardless of where it’s coming from. When we hear it, we almost automatically turn our heads in toward the the direction it seems to be coming from. It’s a tremendously uplifting thing to consider the Lord doing that same kind of thing. I don’t pretend to know how He does that with multiplied millions of us, but I don’t understand quantum physics, either. Thanks for the bright spot, Marilyn–another piece of good news at a dark time.
I memorized Isaiah 9:1-7 for a Christmas play one year and I’ve continued to practice (so I wouldn’t forget). The message is so reassuring. Although I like each of the names the prophet puts forth, I’ve found that His role as Wonderful Counselor brings me comfort and peace. Thank you for sharing peace and comfort. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy new year.
As I took the time to read your post and the verses from Isaiah, Marilyn, I found myself taking some deep breaths and slowing down a little. Thank you for that and the reminder that Jesus is our all in all!
We come to know the character of God through His names. What a great reminder that Who He is can take on any challenge we face. Thanks for sharing.
Joanna,
I shared with another group that all the names are a comfort and a special ministry to us in our unique places in life. We can pray any of His name and He will respond because it is in His character to do so, Merry Christmas! Marilyn
Thank you for the practical helps in your post, Marilyn. Emmanuel is one of my favorite names of Jesus. He is always with us.
I agree-that name is a special comfort in loneliness and aloneness. Thanks for joining the conversation, Annie.