Today, we continue our focus on the ancient Christian tradition of Advent. In Isaiah 9:6, we read a prophecy about the coming Messiah Christ, “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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” We’ll meditate on each of these names as we count up to Christmas.

Today, we focus on Jesus Christ being Wonderful Counselor and light the pink Candle of Joy.

We live in a world that is overloaded with opinions and advice. Some of it is good, but without a doubt, most of it is bad. Even those who often give good advice can unintentionally lead us astray. It’s just hard to know who to trust.

Against this vast backdrop of unreliable human opinion and advice, Jesus Christ shines brightly. He is our Wonderful Counselor. He always speaks the truth. He always sees what is really happening. He always understands what should be. He always knows what’s best. And He always leads us to joy.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus’s counsel might not always be the counsel we as humans would give because as God, how unsearchable are Jesus’s judgments and how inscrutable His ways. We are so limited in our abilities that the counsel Christ brings often defies our expectations and exceeds our human ability to understand. Yet, His counsel is always wonderful. His plan is always perfect and always leads to joy, if we’ll only follow it.

As you move forward in life wondering how to think, what to do, and where to go, it’s time to turn off the world and turn up Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, so that you can maximize your joy, especially here at Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Change begins in you!