Alone, afraid, angry, and waiting to die. That might describe a nursing home resident with Covid-19 whose health is waning; a wounded soldier left behind in the battlefield; a small business owner who is busted and bankrupt; or a rebel whose entire life has been defiant. It’s easy to feel alone and outnumbered—whether you played by the rules and lost, or you broke the rules and are facing the music.

That was the case in Isaiah’s day. The people had sinned their way into a deep, lonely darkness. God’s judgment was on the way in the form of a barbaric Assyrian army. The people responded, not in repentance, but in anger and despair:  

They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness. (Isaiah 8:21-22).

They looked up to God in anger. They looked down at the earth in anguish. The situation seemed hopeless. They have nowhere to go and have not turned to God for help. But God is not finished with them.  

Out of nowhere, He promises a light in the darkness and help for those outnumbered. Instead of judgment, Isaiah’s audience received a surprise: divine rescue—from a surprising source. A child is promised. 

Unto us a child is born. For to us a child is given. A royal son—from God. Given to us. Why did he come? What will he do? The answer is hard to swallow but necessary to fully appreciate the gift. It was for them, and still is for us.  

There is something dreadfully wrong with us. Do you feel it? Do you see it?  

There is something wrong, not just around us, or among us but within us. We don’t trust God. We're deeply insecure. We talk too much. We over-eat. We drink too much. We don't keep our promises. We break the speed limit. We're discontent. We’re cynical. We hold grudges. We’re addicted to everything. We text and drive. We run from commitments. We gossip. We overspend. We’re a mess. We are a people fundamentally at odds with ourselves and need radical intervention from God.  

God’s answer to the world’s deepest problem is a child. He was not a rabbi or philosopher. Not a politician or celebrity. Not a life coach. A savior! Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. That’s who we need—for 4 reasons:   

Reason #1. A counselor understands. He listens and gives wisdom. Jesus is a wonderful counselor. That means unique, unusual, extraordinary, even miraculous. Christmas is not about a human who became divine, like so many other religious stories. Christmas is about the God who became a human. So now we have a counselor who understands. Of all the religions in the world, only one has a God who suffered and died. Jesus knows what you’re going through. When you talk to him, he understands. How often do I hear the complaint: “Nobody understands”? It’s not true.  

You were abused or molested? You were misunderstood, or taken advantage of? This counselor gets it. Not only because “In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” but because he was born into a broken planet. He dwelt among us and lived in our brokenness. That’s what Immanuel means. God with us. 

He knows what it’s like to suffer. To face opposition, pain, rejection, and abuse. To grow grow weary. He knows. And not only does this wonderful counselor understand your situation. He has wisdom to offer. Guidance. A  path forward. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” You can follow this counselor. You must!

Reason #2. An almighty God empowers. It would be one thing if Jesus only understood you, but was powerfulness to act. Just a shoulder to cry on or sympathetic ear to listen. But this wonderful counselor has might. He brings power to the table. He can act!  

We don't need a better leader. We need a different leader. Beginning with Adam, all men and women have failed. But God sent Jesus. And now, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." With him, nothing is impossible. He heals. He empowers. Through Him and with Him, we can face anything. We can resist temptation, fight addiction, and conquer our fears with God’s help. And when we fall, He can restore us.  

Reason #3. An everlasting Father comforts. A son is given who is also a father. What does this mean? The Messiah. He's the author and creator of all life—and new life. The originator. "I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly." 

We need new life. Jesus provides it. Everlasting life. And not only that. What else does a good father do? He protects. He encourages. He affirms. He chases away the bullies and predators. He loves his children to the end. He leads. Some might say, “If only my dad were here.” A dad knows what to do, and what to say. A dad who cares. A dad who's present. A dad who can provide and protect. A dad who will never go away. 

Reason #4. A Prince of peace reconciles. We were never meant to be in a world of cruel, barbaric conflict, war, bloodshed and violence. Jesus will restore the world. His work has already begun—in us. Peace between us and God, one-another, creation, and even ourselves. Jesus brings peace. But how? What would this child do for us? 

It says He was born, but then “He was given.” God gave Jesus for our sins. He would grow up, and die for sinners. We may feel alone. But He would be alone. He would die alone. Abandoned. Rejected. Deserted and forsaken. A child was born. A son was given. To us. For us. Instead of us. In our place. That’s the message of Christmas. Isaiah and John agree. “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son.”