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The Prophet Isaiah answers the question raised by the favorite Christmas Carol, “What Child is This?” He is “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9.6). Each name unlocks aspects of our Messiah’s character.

Wonderful means astonishing or extraordinary and describes the accomplishment of a difficult act or feat. Counselor is legal term describing an advisor in the king’s court or a planner. Some scholars combine these two words which literally mean a wonder of a counselor.

Mighty God is a statement of deity and of a military conqueror. He is the God who fights for his people, a champion, a hero, the superlative warrior.

The Everlasting Father denotes the one who owns eternity, the Great I Am.

Prince of Peace means one whose coming brings peace. Interestingly, this Mighty Warrior brings peace. Shalom (peace) is the calm and tranquility wrought among individuals, groups, and nations. Most importantly, this Prince brings peace between sinful people and a holy God.

Through Isaiah’s pen, God beckons: “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool,'" (1.18).

At this time of year, there is much deserved attention toward the Babe in the Manger. The Magi followed a great light and found the baby Jesus. We, too, are a people who walked in darkness but have seen a great light, and upon us the light has shined.

May Jesus shine ever brighter in your life so that you will have peace along with a burden for those who have yet to see this Light.

Norm Miller can be contacted at communications@montanacc.edu