IT IS MERRY CHRISTMAS - NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS

IT IS “MERRY CHRISTMAS” – NOT “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“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.” (Isaiah 9:6).

Don’t let “political correctness” keep you from using His Wonderful Name.  Do not be ashamed of His Name during this Christmas Season.  The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most wonderful name on Earth.  "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)

THERE IS WONDER IN HIS NAME. “Wonderful”

1. His Birth was wonderful.  “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” (Luke 2:20).

B. His Life was wonderful.  “O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 25:1)

C. His Teaching was wonderful. “And when He had come to His own country, He taught  them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?” (Matthew 13:54)

D. His Miracles were wonderful.  “This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." (John 3:2)

THERE IS WISDOM IN HIS NAME. “Counselor”

1. As your counselor He is always available. “For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

B. As your counselor He gives you His undivided attention.  “'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”    (Jeremiah 33:3)

C. As your counselor He comforts you. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

D. As your counselor He guides you in the right way.  “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”         (Mark 1:22)

THERE IS POWER IN HIS NAME. “Mighty God”

A. Jesus has been given all power in heaven and earth. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18)

B. He created it all.  “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)

C. Incredible as it may seem: the Child & Son is the Mighty God.  "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

D.  Nothing is too hard for Him.  “But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)

THERE IS WORSHIP IN HIS NAME. “Everlasting Father”

1. Jesus and the Father are one in substance, in their love for you and me.  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. "I and My Father are one." (John 10:27-30)
   
2. Even the Angels in Heaven worship Him.  “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.” (Hebrews 1:6-8).

1. Even those who refuse to worship Him now will publicly worship Him one day.  “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”               (Philippians 2:9-11)

THERE IS WELCOME IN HIS NAME. “Prince of Peace”

A. He came to give us rest.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

B. He came to give us peace.  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”     (John 14:27)

C.  He wants you to live with peace in your lives.  “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15).

While government and civic organizations are trying to take His wonderful name out of the Christmas season, let us remember that He (The Lord Jesus Christ) is the reason for the season.  “HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL”