Father. A title that evokes joy or sadness, blame or gratitude, depending on your personal experience. One thing it does not evoke is indifference.

Four weeks of Advent – four names of the Christ-child from the prophet Isaiah. And the third name is Everlasting Father.

“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).

Isaiah called the child Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God. This next name – Everlasting Father – might be confusing for some. If the child sent by God is His Son, then how could this same child  be called Everlasting Father?

The baby whose birth we celebrate is the second person of the Trinity, eternal in nature. One with the Father, yet distinct from the Father. Contrary to popular belief, His existence did not begin in Mary’s womb.

John 1:1-2 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”

How could He be God and with God at the same time? Only the Trinity explains it. Three Persons, but one God in essence. Easy to understand? No. Our finite minds struggle with the infinite. But our lack of understanding doesn’t negate the truth of His nature.

From Colossians 1:15-17 we learn,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Jesus Christ, the Son of God is eternal. With the Father before time began, active in the creation of all that is seen and unseen, redeemer of humanity. Isaiah called Him the Everlasting Father with the understanding that this baby would be the Savior who would care for His people better than any earthly father could ever care for his children.

Whatever your relationship is with your earthly father, know that Jesus Christ came to restore you to your perfect heavenly Father.

Creator. Savior. Eternal. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God.
Everlasting Father.
All wrapped up in a baby in a manger.