Hope Without Limits

In the quiet of early morning, sitting in the light of my Christmas tree I am so drawn to the wonder of the light shining out of the darkness.  For me it is what the composer, John Sullivan Dwight, of O Holy Night  wrote “a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”.

That is what my heart experiences as I sit here …. HOPE … a light in the darkness of a very turbulent world right now.  It reminds me over and over and over there is a light that shines through the darkness that can never be quenched (John 1:4-5).  From this place I heard the Holy Spirit speak the Name of this wondrous light as given to us in Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I felt compelled to dig deeper into His Name and here is what I found in the Hebrew:

Wonderful –

wonder, marvel
hard to understand thing
wonder ( of God’s acts of judgment and redemption)
something wonderful, admirable, miracle of God
admirable, distinguished

Counsellor

to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan
one who consults for, i.e., cares for, protector
mighty
a mighty hero, soldier
strong man, brave man, mighty man

God

mighty hero
God with us
the strong among the mighty
The Everlasting
perpetuity, for ever, continuing future
ancient (of past time)
for ever (of future time)
of continuous existence
forever (of God’s existence)

Father

a bringer up, a nourisher
bestowing his benefits like a parent

The Prince –

prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain
chieftain, leader
vassal, noble, official (under king)
captain, general, commander (military)
chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)
heads, princes (of religious office)
elders (of representative leaders of people)
merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)
patron-angel
Ruler of rulers (of God)
warden

Of Peace  — Hebrew Shalom

completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
completeness (in number)
safety, soundness (in body)
welfare, health, prosperity
peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
peace, friendship
of human relationships
with God especially in covenant relationship
peace (from war)

So who is this Christmas Gift ….

He is a wonder, a marvel, a hard to understand miracle of God that triggers within us admiration and wonder as we see revealed the essence of our Heavenly Father’s heart towards us in His choice to send His Son in order to extend His favor, love, mercy and kindness to each of us instead of judgment.  The One who cares for and protects each life as He counsels us with the purposes, devices and plans our Heavenly Father has for us to prosper us and not to harm us; to give each of us hope and a future.  He is a Hero able to fulfill the desire of every human heart to be loved and the desires of our Heavenly Father towards each of us.   He is a brave, steadfast soldier never forsaking us.  He is the strongest of the mighty.  There never has been or will be a time He does not exist nor will there ever be any one or thing greater than He.  As a loving parent gives to a cherished child, He nourishes and blesses all who will receive Him.  He is The Ruler of Rulers whose reign and presence provides completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquillity, and contentment to permeate every spirit, soul and body; our relationships with each other; and, our covenant with God.

No wonder the soul felt its worth at His coming!!

That is my wish for you this Christmas – for your soul to know its worth and to experience the thrill of hope.  Here’s my expression in song of that wish.  My thanks to my sweet husband for being my recording engineer.