Heaven's Light Breaking: A 5-Day Advent DevotionalShembull

In Isaiah 9:6-7, one of the great Christmas passages, we read a prophecy of the Lord’s birth, and of the names or titles He would be given.

Each of the names or titles for Jesus recorded in the book of Isaiah not only gives us an insight into who He is, but also into the purpose of God for each one of us.

The passage begins with: “His Name is Wonderful.”

The word wonderful comes from the root word “wonder.”

Probably the number one thing under most of our Christmas trees this year will be something electronic—a smart phone or a tablet or a smart watch. We have never had such advanced technology. Everywhere you go now—and I mean everywhere—you see people with their eyes glued to their phones or tablets, checking out Facebook, reading e-mail, following X/Twitter, texting, or playing one of those addictive little games. And all the while you will hear people saying, “I am really bored.”

The “wonder” quickly drains away from even the latest, most cutting-edge electronic devices. Most will be outdated almost from the moment they leave the shelf.

In fact, the gifts that we have under the tree are a metaphor for life itself, saying in effect, there is nothing this world has to offer that will fill a void in our life. No matter what you have, no matter what you are able to buy, it will never satisfy you. (Or at least, not for very long.)

We need God in our lives! He is the only One that will satisfy the emptiness and the deep-down longing for “something” we can’t even put words to. Scripture reminds us to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, nkjv). The Message translation renders that verse: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God.” Despite all of the passing things of this world that will not last there is Jesus, and He is wonderful.

His very name is Wonder.

Life is full of letdowns, isn’t it? But God is never a letdown. God is wonderful. Our awesome God takes care of the dullness of our lives. Medical science seeks to add years to your life, but only Jesus Christ can add life to your years and give you a life that is truly and forever worth living.