“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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. ” Isaiah 9: 6-7a. KJV.

Oftentimes along our journey of life we are made acutely aware of the divine manifold blessings of almighty God’s miraculous moves, healing hands and tender mercies through news accounts, loud shouts of testimonials of others and even our own personal experiences. However, there are many people that feel they reside at ground level in their struggles and trials of life and believe that they are seemingly overlooked, passed by or missed on purpose when it comes to the Lord moving in their lives and recognizing him as the supreme divine advocate. For many it seems sometimes when those same profound blessings that others have experienced find its way to their doorstep and they are blessed beyond measure through their spirit being illuminated and their path lighted, too often we hear a resounding response, “I can’t believe that was really for me.”

I hear this so often from many people that claim to be believers in Christ. However, I am reminded as we enter this advent season, the four Sundays preceding Christmas, whereby our minds become focused on the blessed anticipation of the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This period of advent ushers to the forefront the fact that each of the four Sundays represent specific needed aspects of our spirituality: hope, peace, joy and love respectively. Each of these is so vitally needed and important in the life of every believer and certainly not to be found on your best Christmas shopping spree. With that said, I am drawn to the words and prophecy of the Eagle-eye prophet, Isaiah whereby he prophesies the coming of a child and the government will be upon his shoulder. Moreover, this child’s name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace in which there shall be no end. This is astounding good news. However, there are so many misconceptions as to the recipients of these impending miraculous blessings.

For many, the question hangs in the balance, am I included? Will he be Protector, Savior and Deliverer in my life? Well, the confirmation is in Isaiah’s prophecy. No matter your condition, plight, statue or state of mind, the prophecy not only states the obvious and welcoming good news that sustains our spirituality and meets our every need, but also embedded in the prophecy are the most important three words “for unto us.” Yes, it’s for all of us, and it’s for you too.

REV. DR. JAMES TAYLOR is pastor of Jericho Baptist Church in Farmville. His email is: jht3@verizon.net.