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LELAND ACKER chreporter@mediactr.com
Isaiah 9:6 says "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."

This verse is often quoted in the telling of the Christmas story, so much that we tend to forget the theological intricacies this verse contains.

"Unto us a child is born," means Christ was born as a child, a human child. He is 100% man, 100% God. He was sent by God to bring salvation to those who would believe in Him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

"Unto us a Son is given." To understand this phrase, you have to remember that Isaiah was recording these words, and he was a Jew. The word "Son" refers to genetics, meaning that Christ was born a Jew. Throughout the entire Old Testament, God promised a Messiah, a Savior who would not only save the world from their sins, but would rescue the Jewish nation as well. His arrival would bring the restoration of the nation of Israel, which is partially being fulfilled today, but won't be completely fulfilled until Christ returns.

This also refers to the relationship Christ has with God. It is a Father-Son relationship.

"The government shall be upon His shoulder." Jesus told Pilate, "You could have no power at all against me, except it be given to you from above."

His name shall be called "Wonderful." Wonderful means inspiring delight, pleasure, admiration, extremely good, marvelous. Psalm 8:9 says "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name." Psalm 9:1 says "I will praise Thee, O LORD... I will shew forth all thy marvelous works."

His name shall be called "Counsellor." Remember the rich young ruler in Mark 9? How did he address Jesus? That's right... "Good Master." The word master here is a title for a teacher.

His name shall be called "The mighty God, The everlasting Father." Jesus said in John 14:9 "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Revelation 1:8 "'I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,' saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

His name shall be called "The Prince of Peace." Jesus told Peter that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. Moreover, when Christ returns, the world will see perfect peace.