Unto Us A Child is Born: Wonderful Counselor

We are entering the season of Advent, the weeks leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ birth, a time to focus upon waiting, preparing and hoping, as we recall the historic birth of Jesus, and await the return of Christ in the fullness of time. We can also train our hearts and minds to look for and expect to see Christ entering our world in the here and now in between. 
Each week we will focus upon one of the ways that Jesus, born a baby, brings into the world what we truly need. 
We can pause and reflect in our own seasons of waiting and hoping the world now, waiting for Jesus the Christ to return to bring heaven fully to earth and waiting to see glimpses of Christ among us now to sustain us.  "Unto Us a Child is Born"  is a four week series inspired by Isaiah 9:6 and made famous in Handel's "Messiah." 
Led by Pastor Carolyn Hetrick and Pastor Scott Schul of Grace Lutheran Church, State College, PA, each week features breath prayer, music and reflection before sending you out with grace.

Today's music: "Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
"Messiah" oratorio, HWV 56 (1741) [Edition of the 1752 version I]
Part 1 - chorus:  "For unto us a Child is born"
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge 
The Brandenburg Consort, Stephen Cleobury (conductor)

"Wexford Carol" by John Carter. This setting of the traditional English "Wexford Carol" is by John Carter.  It is recorded here by Laurel Sanders (flute) and Cynthia Mills (piano) for Grace Lutheran Church with permission from the publisher, Beckenhorst Press (https://www.beckenhorstpress.com).  © Copyright 2010 by Beckenhorst Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 
Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-700989. All rights reserved.

To learn more about our ministries at Grace Lutheran Church, visit glcpa.org.

Transcript

Unto Us a Child is Born: Wonderful Counselor, Episode 1

PC: Welcome to Pocketful of Grace, a podcast of Grace Lutheran Church in State College, Pennsylvania. I’m Pastor Carolyn Hetrick and I am joined by my colleague, Pastor Scott Schul.  

PS: We are entering the season of Advent, the weeks leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Across four weeks, we focus upon waiting, and preparing and hoping, as we recall the historic birth of Jesus, and await the return of Christ in the fullness of time. We also train our hearts and minds to look for and expect to see Christ entering our world in the here and now in between.  

PC: If you have ever awaited the arrival of a baby after the announcement “we’re expecting,” you know that amidst the preparations, there is not only the choosing of a name, but there is dreaming. Will they have someone’s eyes, or laugh? Will they be athletic or academic? Who will they become? The prophet Isaiah spoke about a child who was to be born not just for his earthly parents, but for all of us. That’s new. 

The prophet Isaiah told people, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given.” This birth announcement was to the people of God waiting and hoping and growing weary. They were longing for God to change the world in which they found themselves living. And then about 700 years passed. So why did people keep hoping?  

PS: This birth announcement listed the baby’s accomplishments. That’s new. Usually, the big accomplishments for newborns are thumb-sucking, blinking, eating, pooping and drooling. But this baby will have “government rest upon his shoulders.” And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each week we will focus upon one of the ways that Jesus, born a baby, brings into the world what we truly need. We can pause and reflect in our own seasons of waiting and hoping the world now, waiting for Jesus the Christ to return to bring heaven fully to earth. Waiting to see glimpses of Christ among us now, to sustain us.  

PC: To ground ourselves, let’s use a breath prayer based upon another part of Isaiah’s words, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” 
As we breathe in, we’ll say, “Out of the darkness” and as we breathe out, we’ll say, “Into light.” Let’s do that three times. 

Now, imagine what comes to mind when you hear that someone is a “Wonderful Counselor.” 
The Bible tells us one answer: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)  

Jesus will later say, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, is the one the Father will send in my name and will teach you all things.” John 14:26 

And “Come to me you who are weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Learn from me.” Matthew 11 

But advice without understanding can fall short- just look at how many self-help books, YouTube videos and websites there are.  

Imagine if the other part of “Wonderful” is how well this Counselor knows you.  

Imagine someone who asks, “What’s wrong?” even when we haven’t said anything, but they know our nuances. The way our eyes start blinking when we concentrate, or we start playing with our bangs, or tapping a pencil when we are nervous. You don’t have to say anything- they just know what’s up.  

Or maybe you don’t have to lie to them about how many times you went to the gym or how many Oreos you ate. You never have to say, “I know I’m a terrible person but…” because they know you are not terrible, or maybe you’re a little terrible, but mostly good. A good Counselor knows when you need help and when to call you on your stuff.  

Hebrews will say that Christ is not some Holy One on high who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus is the One who has been tempted in all the things we are but is without sin. One who will show us not just our failings, but also grace and mercy and help in time of need. 

Take a moment and reflect upon how you most need Jesus to come to you in this season. It doesn’t have to be a fancy request, just sit with Jesus and be honest.  

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION 
 

PS: The baby who Isaiah announced would grow up to be not only fully human but fully divine, fully God. And because Jesus is both, he can not only advise us, but also reveal the heart and mind of God and counsel us.  

Jesus can remind us that we all need counsel in trials, and suffering. We also need counsel in seasons of abundance and joy to pursue new directions. It starts with humbling ourselves to receive. And now we know one reason Jesus shows up as a baby. Perhaps this Advent we can in some way imagine we are a baby growing in God’s wisdom.  

It’s ok- God knows our cries, and times we vent or lament. And Jesus is the baby who embodies Psalm 23- the good shepherd. He says, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” Our capacity for trusting and receiving care grows when we let this counselor into our hearts.  

Sometimes we may realize God is telling us what we should do or should not do. This might be for our own good, or the good of those around us. But sometimes we pursue things that are not fruitful. And sometimes we feel like we are in the dark with no clear path.  

Jesus reminds us that this close personal relationship he has, and wants to have with us, will guide us into green pastures and still waters. He will be with us in dark valleys to protect us and empower us.  

PC: Jesus is a baby born to embody this not just for you or me, but for the much harder “EVERYONE.”  

We are invited to acknowledge that Jesus is not just “A” counselor, but “THE” Counselor. Wise, all powerful and ever present, our help in times of trouble and always praying with and for us.  

Scripture tells us lots of ways Jesus is embodying this not only for us but for all.  

Jesus listens, weeps, and embraces us in compassion. He uplifts the fallen, restores joy, and shows grace. He gives love in place of torment, calms fears, and brings an end to brokenness and affliction.  

Jesus helps us let go of things that have a hold on us that are not good for us.  

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” 

As much as we pray for these things for ourselves, perhaps we can also reflect upon that for others, maybe even those we least understand. They too not only need but receive these same gifts from our loving Lord. As Isaiah tells us: 

The child born for US will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” 

This is both about our inner life and our outer shared life. 

PS: This week, perhaps you can write down those people or situations that you most pray will be touched by Jesus, and where your heart for them can be touched. Sit with your Wonderful Counselor and see where he leads.  

We close with our breath prayer again this day. As we breathe in, we’ll say, “Out of the darkness” and as we breathe out, we’ll say, “Into light.” Let’s do that three times. 

Lord Jesus, be our Wonderful Counselor, be born into our world. Amen, Come Lord Jesus! 

OUTRO:  

PS: Join us each week through Christmas for another episode of “Unto Us a Child is Born.” Next week we will focus upon Jesus as “Mighty Lord.”  

You can also join us for midweek Advent WOW- Worship on Wednesdays at 6:15. Why not start with dinner? We gather at 5:15 in our Harkins Fellowship Hall. Just use the main entrance and head downstairs or take the elevator.  

Our Sunday worship in person is held at 8, 9 and 10:30 am. You can also listen to our 10:30 service live on Bigfoot Country Legends or Watch our livestream at 10:30 or later by going to our website, glcpa.org and click “WATCH.”  

Our website also has all our worship and activities. You can also download our free glcpa app to have Grace on the Go wherever your journey takes you.  

PC: No matter how we gather, friends, remember Christ is born for you. Take care, Beloveds.