Isaiah 9:6- His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
One Christmas time, there was a man. He lived in a pit. He had always lived in a pit and knew nothing other than the pit. The pit was made of clay that would sink if he stood still. He had to keep moving in the pit. Every now and then, kind people from above the pit (they were called humanitarians) would throw him some food and water. But in the pit he remained.
On Christmas morning, someone spoke to him from above the pit. He couldn’t see the man’s face. The man told him that he didn’t have to stay in the pit. In fact, the man told him that there was a whole realm of existance outside the pit of which he knew nothing. He told him of colourful flowers and singing birds and beautiful mountains. He spoke to him of real and exciting relationships with other people full of love. The man in the pit struggled to picture these things in his head. It sounded marvellous. His heart raced at the possibility of this new vibrant world. He asked the man who was speaking to him “who are you?” The man replied “my name is Wonderful Counsellor”.
A little later, after the man in the pit had had time to think, he decided that he wanted to get out of his pit and experience this world that Wonderful Counsellor said he was missing. The pit was high, the walls were smooth and the clay kept his feet heavy. He tried to climb and he tried to jump, but there was no way he could make it out of the pit. Frustrated and defeated, he cried out helplessly. He was astonished when someone responded from above the pit. “What would you like me to do for you”, came a voice from above. “I would like to get out of this pit”, said the man. Before he had finished his words, he saw something like a flashing light, he felt arms around him and then he was lifted out of the pit as if a powerful eagle had lifted him up on its wings. WOW! He was out of the pit. There really was another world. His feet were not sinking. He was exhilirated and full of life. He turned to the man who had lifted him out of the pit. The Sun was shining in his eyes and he could not make out His face. “How did you do that? Who are you?” The man replied “my name is Mighty God”.
Once he got used to his new environment the man decided to have a walk about. The world was so beautiful. Snow capped mountains framed a beautiful landscape. And yet, he felt a little afraid. There was,after all, security in the pit. He knew its few dangers and had learned to cope with them. What were the dangers here? How would he get his food? He looked back to the pit. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. As he considered returning to what he knew so well, a kind man arrived and put his arms gently around his shoulders. “What is wrong? You look concerned”, the he said gently. When he explained his dilemma, the kind man sat him down and gave him some food and water. He explained the dangers and the difficulties that could be experienced outside of the pit. And then the kind man spoke words that seemed so strong and real and gentle: “if you ever feel worried, if you ever need anything, if you are ever in danger, if you don’t know where to turn, just call out for Me and I will be there with you”. “But what is your name” asked the man from the pit. “My name is Eternal Father. Just call and I will be there.”
Again, the kind man appeared by his side. “I have news for you”, He said. “The King wants to meet with you.” The man from the pit looked down. His clothes were filthy from all the muck and dirt of the pit. There was no way he could meet the King dressed like this. “You’re right”, said the other man, “we need to do something about your appearance before I introduce you”. The kind man was wearing a robe which was made of the whitest of linen. It shone majestically in the Sun. It was pure and perfect and spotless. He took the robe off and asked the man from the pit if he would like to wear it so that he would be fit for the King. He explained that if he appeared with his dirty clothes on, the King would not be pleased and would have him killed and thrown into another pit forever. He needed to wear the pure linen robe. He trusted the kind man and put the robe on. The King was overjoyed when the man from the pit, dressed in the white robe appeared. He threw a great party in his honour. The King and the man from the pit became good friends. And so he asked the man who gave him the robe “who are you”? “I am the Prince of peace”, He replied.
Suddenly, the man from the pit stopped, wondering. He looked again at the man who gave him the robe and asked again “who are you”?
“My name is Jesus”, He said, “but you know Me as Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.”
