Advent is a season of eager anticipation as we reflect upon the birth of Christ over two thousand years ago. Throughout the Bible, we encounter numerous prophecies foretelling “the coming of Christmas.” These prophecies illuminate the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and His everlasting impact on our destiny.

In our recent Old Testament reading, the prophet Isaiah heralded a profound promise about the divine child: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and [they] will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). In the New Testament, this child is named Jesus, for He would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Indeed, Jesus is often referred to as Immanuel, which translates to “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

In today’s sacred text, Isaiah once again introduced God’s prophesized baby to his audience by sharing the four names of Christ. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Last Sunday, we explored the first name of the Messiah – Wonderful Counselor. This morning, we will continue to examine the other two names: “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father.” Through this reflection on these divine titles, I hope we can glean lessons to apply in our faith journey this Christmas season.

Firstly, Jesus Christ is referred to as the “Mighty God.” Although He came to earth in the form of a little child, the Apostle John presented Christ to his readers in this divine light in the Gospel of John, Chapter one, Verses 1 and 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus, identified as “the Word” and “the one and only Son,” has been with us since the very beginning of Creation. As the Apostle Paul explains, “The Son or [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him or [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been through Him and for Him…” (Colossians 1:15-17). In essence, as God the Son, Jesus Christ, in collaboration with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, brought all creatures into existence from nothingness.

The name “Mighty God” in the Bible translates from the Hebrew words “El-Gibbor.” The term “El” is typically rendered in English as “God,” while “Gibbor” conveys meaning such as “strong, powerful, mighty, champion, hero,” and more. Bible scholars note that this sacred name appears over 150 times in the Old Testament alone, often associated with a victorious or triumphant warrior. The designation of Christ as the Mighty God beautifully compliments His role as Wonderful Counsellor. Not only Jesus understands us, but He also orchestrates His marvelous plans for our benefit.

In today’s Gospel reading, God’s angel reassured Mary, saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” (Luke 1:30-32). Overwhelmed, Mary asked, “How will this be since I am a virgin” (Luke 1:34). The angel responded, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Just as the prophet Isaiah had foretold, the angel also prophesied to Mary about Christ as the “Mighty God” capable of achieving the impossible. Later in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus reaffirmed, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

Today, many of us, like Mary, might ponder God’s presence in our faith journey. We might question: “How can the seemingly impossible become possible for us or our loved ones?” Perhaps our relationships with those around us are strained. Maybe our challenges relate to our emotional, physical, or spiritual health, or those of our loved ones. Perhaps our work or studies present challenges. Our dreams or those of our loved ones might be delayed. Visions are crucial and clinging to our dreams can sustain us. Are there other struggles bothering us? If we become consumed by fear amidst these trials, we risk losing hope. We may fail to follow the path the Mighty God illuminates for us each day.

Satan, our spiritual enemy, frequently employs various schemes – often using words beginning with the letter “D” such as Doubt, Deception, Discouragement, Disappointment, and Depression to attack us. However, as followers of Christ, we must stand on God’s promises, echoing Mary’s faith: “For no Word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37). The Creator God made the entire universe through His Word. When the Mighty God declared on the first day of Creation, “Let there be light,” light emerged, dispelling the darkness (Genesis 1:3).

Friends, what challenges, akin to mountains, stand before us today? Everything we encounter in life can be influenced by our perspective. Our thoughts, words, and actions shape our experiences. Our Mighty God surpasses any challenge or obstacle in this world. When we confront with seeming impossibility, we need to echo the unwavering faith proclaimed by Mary in our sacred text: “I am the Lord’s servant. May Your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). When we consistently fix our eyes on Immanuel – God with us – who governs every situation, we can experience His divine blessings and successfully navigate the challenges of our faith journey.
Secondly, Jesus is recognized as “Everlasting Father.” The Bible declares, “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). As Immanuel, Jesus has always been with us and will continue to be. In other words, Christ is truly everlasting. Jesus desires an eternal loving relationship with each of us. This longing is evident in His invitation to the promised eternal realm, known as Heaven, as stated: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

In today’s Gospel, Jesus emerges not only the Everlasting One, but also our Heavenly Father! (Luke 15:11-24). Through the parable of the Lost Son, we witness Christ’s boundless love and mercy for His followers. This narrative introduces a father with two sons. One day, the younger boy asked his father for his share of the estate and left with it. While it is natural for young people to leave home as they mature, this son’s attitude seemed problematic. He appeared indifferent to his father’s feelings. Eventually, finding himself in a hog pen, he had to rely on the pods meant for the pigs. When the prodigal son decided to return home, a touching story unfolded? Filled with compassion, his father “ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Overjoyed, the father directed his servants to arrange a grand celebration in honor of his son’s return. What an amazing and heartwarming scene of a family reunion we have heard!

The parable of the loving father beautifully illustrates our Lord, Jesus. Christ is our Everlasting Father, and His compassion and commitment to His people remain consistent. At times, we might liken the lost son to non-believers. Yet, there are moments when we ourselves resemble the younger son if our hearts stray from our Heavenly Father. We might find ourselves spiritually lost while seeking God primarily for what He can provide or when we face challenges. While we may spend a little time with God, we seem to easily find time for our worldly pursuits. With our inherent human nature, we tend to live on our own and follow our own sinful desires.

Do we truly recognize our Heavenly Father’s steadfast grace in our lives today? Regardless of whether we misuse our God-given resources or fall short in His eyes, we are called to anchor ourselves in His enduring faithfulness. As our Everlasting Father, Jesus remains unwaveringly faithful. Within our Loving Father’s home, there is no judgment and no rejection. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only So, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Through His sacrifice on the cross and triumphant Resurrection, Jesus extends to us redemption and the promise of eternal life. Above all, Jesus yearns for us to be His cherished children. In response to Christ’s invitation, the question before us is: “How will we respond to our Everlasting Father’s love?”

Once again, the prophet Isaiah invites us to reflect on the Promised Messiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” As I have previously emphasized, the essence of the Lord’s Invitation, as communicated through the book of Isaiah today, lies in its opening three words: “For to us.” This profound divine declaration of Christ inspires us to respond actively. While parents might generously offer gifts to their children, the true value of these gifts is only realized when they are embraced and cherished. Today, God extends to each of us a priceless gift. It is the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, heralded the Everlasting Father and Mighty God.

In this Christmas season, friends, let us examine ourselves through the lens of God’s Word, genuinely repent before the Mighty God, run to our Everlasting Father, and recommit our lives to the Prince of Peace, guided by the Wonderful Counsellor. Moreover, may our hearts resound with praise for Immanuel, God with us. Let us share the joyous news of Jesus Christ’s birth, with our cherished ones, both through words and deeds. Amen!

* In this sermon series, I have used some thoughts from various sermons based on the following texts Isaiah 9:1-7 and Luke 1:16-38.