Isaiah: The Everlasting Father

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father… Isaiah 9:6 [KJV].

How can a baby be a father?  The position of “father” in a family is one of strength and justice – a provider, consoler, example, guiding hand, and protector.  At birth, an infant needs all of these things, and this child was no different in that respect. Ah, but the little One who lay in His bed of straw also embodied all of these traits and so much more.  As Mark Lowry so eloquently wrote, when Mary kissed her tiny son, she kissed the face of God.

Everlasting: “never coming to an end; eternal.”  There is nothing in our human experience that is everlasting – not even taxes.  There are problems in our lives that seem to last forever, but the human race does not live in the continuum from eternity to infinity. This child was “from of old, from everlasting,” the “Alpha and Omega,” the “beginning and the end,” who “was, and is, and is to come.”  

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

will soon deliver you.

Note:  Special prayers for Pastor Ben today, please.
He was readmitted to the hospital yesterday. 
Thank you for lifting him up to the Everlasting Father.