Wonderful Counselor
Christmas Eve and Day – December 24, 25, 2025
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20
Isaiah was a prophet in perilous times. He called for the Israelites to trust in God and not in their own strength or the strength of others. But they found themselves under the rule of Tiglath-pilesar III, king of Assyria. Now the Israelites probably had no chance against the Assyrians – although they may have been able to lesson the pain of being conquered if they had truly trusted in God. Now that they were under the fist of a tyrant, Isaiah turned from prophesying God’s vengeance to prophesying hope. He tells them that they, the people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light. If you do not remember much scripture you most likely know this one. We read it every Christmas because that great light has come into our life and we have seen it. That great light – Jesus, God’s own son. – our wonderful counselor.
Although not all the world has seen it. Just look around: Wars and rumors of war, threats and fears, hate and racism. I could go on but you already know the situation. We seem to have become a selfish and cruel society. A society that is certainly full of darkness. But then, it is not unlike the world into which Jesus was born. That, too, was a cruel and violent world that mistreated people based on their ethnicity, poverty, and status in society. If you were not a Roman citizen of wealth your life was seen as dispensable. Travel was perilous. That is where we find the parents of Jesus. According to Luke they had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem about 70 miles. A long way to travel on foot (they probably were too poor to own a donkey) especially for Mary since she was nine months pregnant. And when they arrive they could not find room in any inn to stay. They must have stayed with family. There was no stable. For poor people in those days, if they had animals, the animals stayed in the house with them. The manger was quite convenient for them in their troubles.
Knowing the story of Jesus’ birth should remind us that God has not assured us of an easy life or a life filled with riches and prestige. What God has promised is a life filled with God’s presence and love. For us we are assured that no matter where we find ourselves, what our situation might be, God is present. That presence is shown to us by the witness of God’s own Son whose birth we celebrate this day. A birth that would change the world by the life, death, and resurrection of this child born in Bethlehem so long ago. Jesus the one who came to bring light into our darkness, life in the midst of death. So come and rejoice for unto us a son is given whose name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Then go into the world proclaiming this great thing that has happened. For unto the world a savior is born.