Day 3: A Guessing Game

Read: Isaiah 9:6-7, 1 Peter 1:3-6

I have to admit that for a good portion of my life, I have thought about what my babies will look and be like. Will I have boys, girls, or both? Will their personalities be a blend of who I am and who I end up having kids with?

I’ve watched countless gender reveals as parents and their friends guessed what sort of child they will have. When it comes to the sex of the baby, there’s a close chance that it can be guessed. But when it comes to what kind of person the child will grow up to be, now that’s a different story.

Even before Mary was conceived herself, it was already written what kind of child she would have. It was determined Who she would give birth to. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Mary was going to give birth to a Son who would be a Ruler. The prophecy doesn’t stop here either, even though it’s already amazing that it was known that she would have a Son and He would be King. It continues to talk about His names, but not ones like “Matt” or “Alisha”. These names describe who this Son is and what He will do on earth.

This Son was Jesus. He would come to earth and fill us with wonder. He would amaze us. He would help us with our problems and guide our lives. On top of this, we know that Jesus is also God, the Creator. He brings the eternity that has been promised to us. Finally, He is a peacemaker between God and man.

1 Peter 1:3-4 reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”

If nothing fills you with hope in life, this should. We have hope that we will spend eternity with God. When Jesus came, He was so much more than we could have imagined. So much greatness has been revealed in Him, and more is still to come!

What are some ‘names’ you call Jesus? Who is He to you? As we reflect on His first coming, we need to remember these things and constantly proclaim Who He is. As we do so, our hope can be renewed in the Savior Who came for us.