The incarnation of the Son of God is the most wonderful and most important event in all of human history. It means that the creator of the universe and mankind came to dwell among us in flesh, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 23 of our reading the Bible says, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” The Scriptures tells us that the child that was born to Mary shall be called Emmanuel meaning God with us. We also learn that he was called Jesus which means, “Jehovah is salvation.” When we put these two names together we learn the meaning of the birth of Christ. God came to dwell among us to bring salvation to the world.

So, why was he called Jesus rather than Emmanuel throughout his life. According to Hebrew usage the name represents a characterization such as in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The name “Emmanuel” shows us the divine nature of Jesus and the fact that God is with us.

In the giving his son, God gave us a unique gift. There has never and will never be another like the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born of a virgin and he lived a sinless life. He died for the sins of the world and was the only perfect sacrifice acceptable to God. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

Christ is called “Wonderful”. He is remarkable, extraordinary, exceptional. It is no wonder that when Christ was on earth people said of him, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (Luke 8:25) and in John 7:46, “Never man spoke like this man.” No one can compare to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ is called “Counsellor”. Isaiah 11:2 says, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” The entire world will benefit from his wisdom and counsel. The name conveys His ability to deal with every situation and circumstance of life.

Christ is called “the mighty God”. This emphasizes His deity and power. Israel had many great and powerful kings throughout their history, but who can compare to the Lord Jesus Christ. The weakest of believers can become bold through the power of, “the mighty God.”

Christ is called “the everlasting Father”. This conveys the eternality and unchanging character of Christ. He is the same today, yesterday and forever as Hebrews 13:8 teaches us. More than that the title states that God’s people will never lack the divine love and care of a true Father. He is a father to the fatherless.

Christ is called “the Prince of Peace”. The Lord Jesus Christ truly is the Prince of Peace. He brings peace to hearts, minds and souls of sinners. We have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

There is no doubt that the child born to Mary in Bethlehem is the fulfillment of this great prophecy of Isaiah. God’s promises cannot fail. He means what He says and says what He means. He guarantees every one of them.