Christmas means that God came down to earth to live the life we live, and to suffer the things we suffer. Christmas means we have a Wonderful Counselor in Jesus who’s been through what we’ve been through. He’s not like an ancient sage who brings wisdom, but is distant from us and our experience. Instead, as Hebrews 2:17-18 said, he is a brother who truly understands us because he’s walked through all the suffering and temptation that accompanies life in our world. Have you ever been betrayed? Or felt incurable grief, rejection,or loneliness?Jesuswaswell acquaintedwitheach of these. Have you ever felt the frustration of unanswered prayer? Or felt abandoned by God? Jesus has felt those things too. Christmas means that God became flesh to suffer with us and for us, and it means that Jesus defeated the source of all suffering. Because of Christmas, Jesus has the power to comfort and strengthen like no one else. He’s our Wonderful Counselor because He came to us, to go through what we’ve been through, to listen, to comfort, and to give us hope. This Christmas, trust in Him and rely on Him. He understands you and can comfort you from inside your own experience. • For what do you need comfort and strength this Advent season? • How can Jesus as Wonderful Counselor be an encouragement to you for those things this Christmas? 8 Steven Villacin Community Pastor
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