Advent Devotional: Day 14

“for unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 ESV (written approximately 740 BC)

The genealogy of Jesus is made up of some pretty amazing people, rock stars of the Old Testament.  We have kings, wealthy men, simple men, foreign women and simple Jewish women.  We know their stories, their names, and their lineage.  Names like Boaz and Ruth, King David, King Josiah, Jacob, Joseph and Mary.  We know their names, then there is Jesus.  We know His names—Messiah, Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Son of Man, Son of God, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Redeemer, and many others.  Each of these names reveal more about our Savior.  The more we know about Him, His character, the more we find peace.

He is the Prince of Peace.  His ways are not our ways, they are God’s way.  His ways show us the love of God.  His ways give us Hope and a true sense of what love is.  Simple and Humble was the man we call Savior, full of God and an example of who we should be.

Compassionate for the woman at the well, He loved without scorning her.  Sorrowful at the entrance of the tomb of his friend, even though He knew He would be calling Lazarus from inside the tomb.  Humble servant even to the one who would betray Him, He still washed the feet of all the twelve.  All these actions reveal why He was the Prince of Peace, full of God’s love for the world.

When the world is full of hate, where do you find the Love of God?  Where is your peace of mind when anxious thoughts are driven by fear?