For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-- Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
Last month, as Christmas approached, I was reminded of this famous passage in Isaiah, first at the KLPac performance of Handel's Messiah (a very, very good and Handel-worthy interpretation in the usage of a chamber orchestra and choir, instead of the usual gigantic ensembles), and then via an SMS from Rebecca.
As I thought about it, I remembered what a pastor (I cannot recall who) once preached some Christmases ago: that the child was born, but the Son was given. The Son was not born, for he was there from the beginning.
And reflecting on the passage this time around, I realised how Trinitarian it is.
'Wonderful Counselor' foreshadows Jesus' promise that the Counselor would be sent to be with his disciples after his ascension to heaven.
'Mighty God' and 'Everlasting Father' foreshadows the opening words of Genesis and of the Gospel of John: the God who was from the beginning, from before the beginning, and who is, and who will be beyond the end of time.
'Prince of Peace' is the title Jesus himself directly bore.
It was a good reminder. And I really think Handel did the best any human being ever did and ever could, in his rendition of the prophecy.
1 comment:
Hi, I was really blessed by Handel's Messiah this Christmas in Auckland too. Didn't know that KLPac was gonna perform this piece.
Indeed, the messianic prophecies and expectations reflects our human longing for salvation. As we encountered Christ, may we boldly face life and death like Simeon with his prayer,
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation"
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