And He Is Named Wonderful Copunselor

REFLECTION

Our names are important to us, yes?  Our names identify and mark us.  Our names are what people shout out to us when they see us across the parking lot.  Our names tell the world who we are and who we're not.

The Season of Advent begins this Sunday and with it, we will look at four names given to someone who is very important to us as Christians.  He is, of course, Jesus - the one whose birth we prepare once again to celebrate on Christmas.  Jesus's earliest disciples sought to answer the questions:  Who is He?  And what should we call Him?  They looked to the prophets of old - like Isaiah - hoping to find the answers.  And in Isaiah's prophecy they found what they were after - the promise of a Messiah who they believed to be Jesus.  And they found names for Him too:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

This Advent, we will look at each of these names, week by week, and discover just how perfectly named Jesus is - and how good and different and fulfilling life can be when we are identified by His name.  This first week we will consider "Wonderful Counselor" and consider:  How is Jesus a counselor for us?  In what ways does He shape, and guide and help us?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

The weeks leading to Christmas are often filled with much activity.  Along with work, school, and church responsibilities, there are special holiday festivities to which we will attend.  Here at the beginning of Advent, how will you "keep alert" for God in the midst of so many responsibilities and distractions?