The Birth Announcement
Most of us have had the privilege of sending and receiving birth announcements. Parents rejoice at the news, “We are going to have a baby.” Grandparents are thrilled at the news, “Soon you will have a grandchild.” From the time of the announcement until the actual birth, there is this period of anticipation and expectancy. It is much like Advent.
Then, the day comes when we discover the mother and baby are doing fine; there is great joy.
The Bible records for us a birth announcement. The Prophet Isaiah tells us that a time is coming when one will be born that will shed the light of God upon the nations. The people of God will increase their joy and bring praises to God. It is the announcement of the birth of the coming Messiah, Jesus. He will be the great deliverer. His kingdom will be universal and the duration of that kingdom will be eternal.
Then Isaiah, gives the great birth announcement: Isa. 9: 6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
We know that the baby is a boy… a son. He will be one with God-given authority as the “government will rest upon his shoulders.” Some say this is also a play on words, implying that the burdens we bear will be upon his shoulders. Perhaps this is why Jesus says to us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) Like His father, the Son will be a benevolent, loving king.
In this birth announcement, we are not told of his weight or his height. We are told of his character and purpose. We are told that his name will be a reflection of who He is and His purpose for being among us. When the angel announces God’s plan for the birth of His son to Mary, she is told, “His name shall be Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew: 1:21
He will bear the greatest burden that plagues mankind… the burden of SIN. But he will be so much more: He will be to us:
Wonderful Counselor – The Hebrew implies that his counsel will be marvelous, miraculous. Some suggest that a better translation might be, A Wonder of a Counselor. Jesus says, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32, and in verses 34 - 36, Jesus explains he will set us free from our slavery to sin.
Mighty God – Again the Hebrew denotes a powerful warrior who is Himself Divine. Jeremiah said: “But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11 (NIV)
Jesus said: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)
What a comfort to know that Jesus will be a mighty warrior at our side no matter what may come in this life.
Everlasting Father – let there be no doubt, this King will live and reign forever, as He is the Father of the everlasting age. Paul describes Jesus this way: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
Prince of Peace – the Prince of prosperity, the Giver of all blessings
As the Prince of Peace, Jesus reconciles us to God; he is the giver of peace and blessings to our hearts and minds. Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)
And we are reminded that his love for us casts out all fear of judgment. What greater peace can we have?
It is little wonder then, that the Angels announced this to the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth: But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)
No wonder the wise men, upon being led by the star to the place of Christ’s birth, were overjoyed! (Matt. 2:10)
I shared this devotional thought with the faculty on Dec. 9, 2021. It was my 72nd birthday.
My birth announcement came as a shock. I was three months pre-mature in 1949 and not expected to live through the night. No one expected to be at the John Gaston Charity Hospital that night in Memphis TN. It was not the right time! My birth certificate noted: One pound 12 ounces. I spent nearly three months in incubation care.
In the middle of the chaos, my grandfather went into a broom closet at the hospital and prayed. As they were planning my funeral, Paw Daddy Russom said to them: You can quit planning that funeral. I talked to Jesus, and He told me He has a plan for that boy; he is going to live!
My folks never told me that story until I declared to them at age 15 that I knew without a doubt, God was calling me to preach the Gospel. On that day, the Wonderful Counselor brought good news and hope to my family. God showed up at just the right time!
Paul reminds us: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 (NIV)
I share this with you today, because we at NBC have the privilege of teaching men and women whom God has called into the ministry. We stand before them to declare the truths of God when we preach, teach, and take care of our students from their time of enrollment until graduation. We are all representatives and ambassadors of the One who is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
We are reminded of the privilege and responsibility we have of preparing students to be faithful disciples, ministers, and ambassadors for Jesus. We want them to be men and women who will clearly declare the Gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We want their torch to burn bright as they bring the light of God into our dark world.
And, like all of us who know Christ as Savior, we also live in the anticipation of Jesus’ Second Coming and return.
Paul wrote: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22-23 (NIV)
So, let us look forward to the future. The Mighty Warrior God is on our side. He shows up at just the right time! He will sustain us. He will prepare us for what lies ahead. He will enable us to ask and answer the right questions that impact our future as Nazarene Bible College. He is not finished with us yet. Ours is a ministry that must remain until the Lord returns. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this! So, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad for we are in the hands of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
One more thing: When we accepted Christ as Savior, they had a party in heaven, because a sinner was saved, born again, and our name was placed in the Lamb’s book of life. We were given our spiritual birth certificate! What a birth announcement that must have been! And because we were born again, we can have a Merry Christmas now and forever more!
Dr. James R. Russom, NBC Director Pastoral Leadership and Pastoral Ministries Programs
Published: 01/28/2022
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