As Christmas approaches, many of us sense something missing. The lights are bright, the calendars are full, and the traditions are familiar, but the spiritual heart of Christmas often feels buried beneath the busyness. Between work, family obligations, social events, and endless to-do lists, it is easy for the deeper meaning of this season to get lost.
For others, the problem runs deeper than busyness. Many people grew up with a version of Christianity that never quite translated into adult life. Perhaps the God they were taught to believe in did not come through when life became complicated or painful. And so, for many, the spiritual side of Christmas has quietly been set aside.
That is why the heart of Christmas matters so much. At its core, Christmas is not about nostalgia or sentiment, it is about God showing us what he is really like.
Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah spoke into a moment of deep political and spiritual failure. Judah was being led by King Ahaz, a ruler who consistently sacrificed the well-being of his people for his own security and status. His leadership brought poverty, fear, and spiritual decay. In the middle of that darkness, Isaiah promised that a different kind of king was coming.
Isaiah 9 describes this coming ruler with names full of hope: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Each title reveals something about God’s character. Each name reveals what God is really like. Let’s look at “Everlasting Father.”
In Isaiah’s world, kings were often called “fathers” of their people. A good father-king protected, provided, and led with care. A bad one exploited and consumed. The people of Judah knew all too well what it was like to live under leaders who took more than they gave.
That longing for a true and faithful leader is not limited to ancient history. We see bad leadership everywhere: politics, workplaces, schools, churches, even families. We know what it feels like to be led by people who prioritize self-preservation over service. And if we are honest, we also recognize that same selfish impulse within ourselves.
Jesus entered that reality and redefined leadership altogether. He taught that greatness comes through service. He washed his disciples’ feet. He refused to leverage power for personal gain. Ultimately, he gave his life rather than demand the lives of others.
For a moment, his death seemed to shatter all hope. But the resurrection changed everything. The earliest followers of Jesus believed he was the king Isaiah promised; not because the idea was comforting, but because they encountered him alive after his crucifixion.
Christmas proclaims this truth: God is not distant or domineering. He is the kind of king who gives himself for his people. The Everlasting Father does not take from us to secure his throne; he lays down his life to bring us home.
That is who God is. And that is why Jesus is worth following; both as our Savior and as the model for how we are called to live and lead in the world.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Zac