December 10: Mighty God, Prince of Peace
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9: 5-7
MIGHTY GOD, PRINCE OF PEACE
Whether I am listening to Isaiah 9:6 set to music or reading this scripture, it sends chills down my spine. As I try to grasp with my mind how much is said in these few sentences, I find it is truly amazing. Jesus, fully man and fully God, entered humanity as a baby, and yet, He would be known by these incomparable names; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. While all these names reflect who Jesus is, Mighty God and Prince of Peace resonate with me the most.
As a Mighty God, I see Him as able to do anything: save, protect, guide and direct are just a few of the things that come to mind. Jesus is strong, and able to strengthen us. It struck me that shoulders are mentioned in this passage, and I started to consider that our human bodies have shoulders that are able to carry burdens. Walking around campus I see backpacks, laptops, purses and even small children on shoulders. In conversation, shoulders are said to carry emotional burdens as well; “That’s a lot on your shoulders”, or “You shouldn’t have to shoulder that alone.” Scripture tells us “the government will rest upon his shoulders.” What a human can carry on his shoulders is finite. Jesus has the government of the entire world on His shoulders.
When I think of Jesus as Prince of Peace, I usually focus on what peace is or means to me. I have recently learned something new about this title for Christ. My weekly Bible study group has been reading A Woman Who Trusts God: Finding the Peace You Long For by Debbie Alsdorf. The author points out that in Hebrew the word prince means “keeper” as well as “chief” or “captain.” She goes on to say that the Hebrew word for peace “shalom” means “welfare” in addition to peace, and prosperity. In other words Christ is the Prince of Peace or the Keeper of our Welfare! What wonderful news that is for us! We have a God who loves us and is everything we could ever want or need. As the semester draws to a close and we look forward to spending time with family and friends, remember the Son who was given to us and all that means!
Becky Fallon, Assistant Professor of Nursing
HEAVENLY FATHER, we thank you for your Word and its truths. You sent your Son to us, and He truly is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. His name is above all names. May we rest in knowing upon His return, He will rule forever in peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For unto us a Child is Born (from Messiah)
George Friderik Händel (1685-1759)
Video by Jeffrey Stivers
Art Works highlighted in the Video
- Andrea Mantegna (c. 1431-1506)
- Tintoretto (1518-1594)
- Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682)
- Antonio Balestra (1666-1740)
- Orazio Gentileschi (1563-1639)
- Carlo Maratta (1625-1713)
- Charles LeBrun (1619-1690)
- Jan Gossaert (c. 1478-1532)
- Agnolo Bronzino (1503-1572)
- Franz von Rohden (1817-1903)
- Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-1682)
- Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1557)
- Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)
- Gerard van Honthorst (1592-1656_
- Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (1708-1787)
About the Music
The Messiah is an English language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Friderik Händel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens. It was first performed in Dublin for Easter in April 1742. It received its London premiere the following year. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in western music especially during the Christmas season. Händel composed the entire Messiah is just twenty-four days. This work affected him like no other. For three weeks, Händel worked tirelessly, inspired by the angels whose voices he was attempting to capture in his music. On finishing the Hallelujah Chorus, Händel exclaimed, "I did think I did see all Heaven open before me and the great God Himself." Later, he would compare his experience to that of St. Paul, saying “Whether I was in my body or out of my body when I wrote it I know not. God knows.” For Unto Us a Child is Born is one of the most beloved choruses from this incredible oratorio.
For Unto Us a Child is Born Lyrics:
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given,
And the government shall be upon His shoulder;
And His name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)