Isaiah 9:6-7 — For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

We don’t focus enough on the holiness of Christmas.
I know some churches — including ours — do a wonderful job of worship … but it’s exceptional. There was a line in this year’s Living Christmas Tree that said everything about how most people see Christmas … and nothing about the Christ of Christmas — “Christmas means presents, and presents mean Christmas!”
I think George Frederick Handel knew the Christ of Christmas. He wrote his wonderful music for the oratorio “The Messiah” in just twenty-four days. Charles Jennens was responsible for the libretto — but of course he had Isaiah as his inspiration.
The best loved moments in The Messiah are its ending — the beautiful Hallelujah Chorus — but perhaps as well known is the glorious setting of Isaiah 9:6. Here are the names of Jesus — not just a list, but the names that will be given to Him because of His very nature.
“Wonderful” — set aside because of His greatness, miraculous beyond all natural things.
“Counsellor” — one who is fit to stand in the courts of the Almighty; one, indeed, who takes part in the planning of God.
“The mighty God” — the Mighty God of Ages, or even the Might of God. A plain statement, “The Messiah is God”.
“The everlasting Father” — hardest of all the titles to understand. How is the Son the Father? Not literally, of course — except that as Jesus said, “I and the Father are one”. But also, Jesus is the Father of His people, forever. Also, perhaps, Jesus is the Father of eternity …
“The Prince of Peace” — a heavenly prince, unlike earthly princes, rules peacefully rather than violently. “Peace” is Shalom — it implies so much more than just peace. It speaks of well?being, tranquility, prosperity, and security, a blessed state with nothing to disturb it.
Here are five glorious titles of Jesus. Each of them would repay hours of contemplation. Just one tiny corner of the Christmas story. How many others could we explore together?