Hoping for a Child

Scripture — Isaiah 9:6-7 (NRSV)

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Devotion

Do you ever find yourself reading a passage of Scripture when, suddenly, a familiar hymn or song starts playing in your head? That happens to me every time I read Isaiah 9:6-7. The words jump off the page and into my brain, playing to the glorious music of Handel’s Messiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given . . . .” How wonderful!

When the prophet Isaiah first proclaimed these words, he wasn’t caught up in some sort of Christmas reverie, however. In fact, the original context of this passage was quite different from our joyous Christmas celebrations. Most of Isaiah 9 expands upon the theme of God’s judgment of Israel for her unfaithfulness. Yet the first few verses of the chapter offer a hopeful vision of the future. Someday a descendant of David will rule over Israel, bringing lasting peace and justice to earth.

Isaiah gives this Davidic king names that associate him strongly with God. No wonder the early Christians saw in this passage a clear prophecy of Christ! The future ruler will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Though we could spend plenty of time unpacking the historical and theological meaning of each of these titles, I’d rather approach this passage today in a more personal way. I wonder how I need to experience Christ today. I also wonder how you need to experience him.

• Do you need him to be a wonderful and wise counselor, one who can guide you in your work, your family, your retirement, and every other context of life?

• Do you need Christ to be mighty, a source of strength and healing in your life?

• Do you need Jesus to be like a faithful father, one whose love for you is forever firm?

• Do you need Christ to give peace to your troubled heart, your family, your workplace, your community, your church?

The good news is that Jesus Christ is what you and I need, and so much more.

My spiritual director—a wise Christian with whom I talk and pray each month—often concludes our sessions with the words of Isaiah 9:6. Thus, when I read this passage from Isaiah today, I hear not only Handel’s Messiah ringing in my ears, but also Duane’s prayer that I know the Lord as my “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” So, as I conclude this devotion, I am praying for you and all others who read it (yes, actually, I am praying right now as I write this devotion), that you might experience God in a way that meets you at the point of your need. May Christ be present in your life today as your “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Peace and Prosperity (Isaiah 9ff.).