The holidays aren’t always filled with “all is calm, all is bright.” Sometimes they are anything but silent and peaceful—they are often chaotic and dark. Though a change in schedule and scenery with that trip through the woods to grandma’s house can bring welcome relief, it can also bring unwelcome time for reflection. When we’re hustl’n and bustl’n we don’t have time to slow down and think. So we pack our schedules and turn up the volume on our roadtrips. What could be God-given opportunities to turn it all down and shut it all off ends up being another restless season.
This isn’t another “Jesus is the reason for the season” or “Keep Christ in Christmas” post. Though those admonitions are true, they kind of remain on the surface–they don’t go deep enough. What we do need at this time of year is to reconnect, perhaps for the first time in a long time, with a counselor, the Counselor, who can help us navigate the depths of our own hearts. That counselor is none other than Jesus. Eve’s seed and descendant of David, Yeshua would be the Savior of the world.
The prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus’s birth over 700 years before it took place. Isaiah referred to his arrival as a “sign” and a “great light” for people who walked in darkness. Though born of a human, Jesus was a divine gift. And with this gift some 2,000 years ago was executive authority. Governments were upon his infant shoulders. As was common in the ancient Near East, his reign was given throne-names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These all described the fullness of Immanuel’s reign.
I want to focus on the first one, quite literally, Counselor of Wonder or Wonder-Counselor. “Wonderful” in our vernacular signifies simply something that inspires delight or admiration. But in Hebrew, “wonder” signifies something supernatural. In other words, Jesus possessed a supernatural ability to make plans and to rule beyond normal human capacity. After all, Jesus would need to preserve his people and save them from their sins.
Later in Isaiah’s prophecy he adds that this child would be a “shoot from the stump of Jesse”. This connects Jesus directly to David and then to Solomon. But Jesus would be David’s perfect heir, the new and greater Solomon. And though Solomon, unlike any other before and after, was arrayed with God-given wisdom, Jesus, the Wonder-Counselor, had wisdom that surpassed that of Solomon. Isaiah tells us that the Spirit of Yahweh rested upon Jesus, a Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of Yahweh (Is 11:2).
Wisdom and understanding speak to judicial and governmental ability. Jesus would need both to see to the heart of people and issues, to distinguish between right and wrong, good and best. He would need counsel and might for strategy and strength to devise the right course of action. He would need knowledge and fear of Yahweh to know the truth.
So whatever your weakness, ailment, or burden, take them to the Wonder-Counselor. He is available. He is capable. He understands. Take advantage of your change of schedule and scenery. Turn down the noise. Spend meaningful time reflecting on your own thoughts and then take a look around to reflect on all the blessings. This won’t happen by accident and the Counselor typically won’t drag you into his presence. But he is there, always there as a gift for you. He is there to give you light and to increase your joy–true joy to the world.
Have a merry Christmas!