A D V E N T  2019

INTRODUCTION

Christmas 2019 is upon us. We decorate, we celebrate, and we worship. We worship the newborn King. But the King has a name—his name is Jesus. But the King has other names/titles. Do you know these names? Perhaps you’ve heard them, but never really considered what they mean.

Most of us have a first name, a middle name, and a last name. Jesus is the King’s first given name. All the other names in Scripture are really titles. Lord, Christ, and Messiah are the most familiar to us.

This Christmas Season we will focus on some other names/titles ascribed to the King.

Four of these titles are found in the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah 9:6. We will focus our worship this Christmas Season around these titles.

Sunday, December 1—“Wonderful Counselor”

Sunday, December 8—“Mighty God”

Sunday, December 15—“Everlasting Father”

Sunday, December 22—“Prince of Peace”

Tuesday, December 24—Christmas Eve Carols and Candlelight at 5pm & 7pm

I look forward to decorating, celebrating, and worshiping with you.
Your Pastor,

Stephen G. Hatfield

Week One:
W O N D E R F U L   C O U N S E L O R

Devotions written by Troy Freeman

Monday
Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 139:6

At the time when Isaiah shared these words in chapter nine (approximately 800 years before the birth of Christ), a name was more than simply an identifier. A name defined the character of a person. So Isaiah was not only announcing the birth of the Messiah—he was declaring the amazing characteristics of this One who would save his people from their sins.

He chose to begin this character-defining list of names for Jesus with the Hebrew name Pele’ Yo’ets—Wonderful Counselor. The literal translation is “a wonder of a counselor.” Before we spend the next couple of days dissecting these two intricately formed words, spend a few moments reflecting on the fact that these were more than words. This prophecy actually came to be, as referenced by the words of Paul:

“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory”
(1 Timothy 3:16 NIV).

In these quiet moments, thank God for his perfect plan to show his love, guidance, and comfort to us in our greatest time of need by sending the Wonderful Counselor.