In Awe of Jesus: Christmas Foretold in IsaiahSýnishorn
Your Wonderful Counselor
The prophet Isaiah proclaimed some truths about Jesus—nearly 700 years before His birth. You’ll find these announcements throughout the book of Isaiah, and we’ll spend the next few days considering these revelations about our Savior. Beginning here:
Jesus is your Wonderful Counselor.
This isn't just some fancy title or positive affirmation. It’s a real, life-changing promise about who Jesus is—proclaimed by God Himself.
Jesus isn’t just semi-accurate as an advisor, either. He’s wondrous at it.
The God of the universe, the Savior of your soul, is personally invested in guiding your steps with wise and wonder-filled counsel.
Before we dive into what this means for us, let’s consider the original audience who first received this message. Isaiah delivered God’s message to His people during a turbulent time. The wealthy oppressed the poor. Religious leaders exploited others for selfish gain. Kingdoms were at war, and God’s chosen people regularly disobeyed Him. As author and professor Sue Edwards puts it, “Into this crumbling society, God sent Isaiah to wake the people and call them back to a relationship with Him and a lifestyle that reflected genuine faith.”
They desperately needed a Wonderful Counselor.
Just as we do.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor.”
Isaiah’s listeners wouldn’t have been familiar with this promise. Yet, as modern-day believers, we can grow so accustomed to it that we lose our sense of wonder. Take a moment to reflect on it again, as if you’re hearing about the promise of Jesus for the first time:
In a broken society,
to a people caught in cycles of sin,
God gave His Son,
sending word centuries before the miraculous birth
that Jesus would come—
not just for them,
but also for us.
Our Wonderful Counselor.
In their turbulent time, these ancient people welcomed the promise of Jesus. Maybe you also read this message today in a turbulent time.
The holidays often highlight our need for a Wonderful Counselor. Christmas is my favorite season, yet it brings a blend of both joyous celebrations and painful memories.
- The winter I miscarried.
- The last Christmas with my mom.
- Complicated family dynamics.
- Awkward conversations I hope never to repeat.
Perhaps you, too, approach this season with a mixture of emotions and experiences. You, like me, need wisdom, guidance, and someone who truly understands. Jesus, your Wonderful Counselor, offers exactly that. Receive Him.
Not sure how? Start here:
Wonder
Let yourself marvel. The Creator of everything—ancient galaxies, deepest oceans, and highest mountains—offers to be your guide.
Wait
Don’t rush ahead, hoping for God’s blessing after the fact. Sometimes, we want His approval more than we want His direction. Slow down and truly seek His guidance.
Walk
When He shows you the way, act on it. Receive Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor by applying His wisdom in your life.
Tomorrow, we’ll explore how His powerful, limitless nature can transform your right-now reality.
About this Plan
Spark awe and recapture the wonder of Christ’s birth in this 4-day Plan. Join Bible teacher Jen Weaver and explore Isaiah’s ancient prophecies, revealing the beauty and majesty of Jesus nearly 700 years before His arrival. Let these timeless truths inspire worship in your heart and draw you closer to Christ.
More