Even as I read those words two pieces of music go through my head. One is from the Messiah, a powerful chorus with the different voices coming in and out singing this verse over and over. The other is a simple little tune I learned in IVCF in my University days “Jesus, name above all names, Beautiful Saviour, Living Lord. Emmanuel, God is with us, Blessed Redeemer, Living Word”. The child whose birth we await is known by many names and titles.

Despite what Shakespeare’s Juliet might claim, names matter. Titles matter, even in a world where the only titles we tend to talk about are sporting championships. And so what do we call the child whose birth is only days away?

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Titles that speak of comfort for the struggling, of power to protect, of one who is in charge of a changed world. The child, the son who is being born (over and over, again and again, year after year) to us is all these things. And even better the child is not given to the world in some generic, group gift fashion. For unto US is born. The gift is for each and all of us. As individuals and as a community WE are the recipients of the gifts of Counsel, Comfort, Protection, Peace.

Thanks be to God, made known in a child, come to change the world!

If you missed an entry in our Advent devotions series, please click here to see all previously posted devotions.