Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6-7, 7:14, 28:29, John 3:16, 14:27, Zechariah 14:9

During the Christmas season, as the title of the carol beckons, it's fitting to ask, "What child is this?" There is much debate as to Who this child is. Muslims, for example, believe that Jesus was born of a virgin just like Christians do, but they see him as a great prophet, and call him Isa Ibn Maryam, or Jesus the Son of Mary, a great man, but nothing more than a prophet. Many Jewish people see Jesus as a great teacher, and a political reformer, but nothing more. Hindus have come to revere Jesus as a self-realized saint who reached the highest level of "God-consciousness." Buddhists see him as a Bodhisattva, which is perfectly enlightened being, full of compassion who helps other people. None of these world religions see him as Christians see Him.

Seven hundred years before Jesus Christ was born, a prophet of God explained Christmas before anyone had even experienced Christmas. Seven centuries before the cradle rocked, and the stars shown, and the Wise Men gave and the angels sang, Isaiah took his prophetic pen and wrote what has become the centerpiece and cornerstone of Christmas prophecy.

"This child has many names. We know Him as Jesus, Lord, Master, Savior, Christ. He has many titles: King of Kings, The Lion of Tribe of Judah, the Rose of Sharon, the Bright and Morning Start. Isaiah gives us four special names this child will be called and each name represents a way this child will gladden the grieving, heal the hurting and save the sinning." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: Christmas, savior, Mary, Joseph, manger, birth, Jesus, Christ, prophecy, Isaiah, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Winston Churchill, grace, everlasting, eternal, baby, Into Thin Air, John Krakauer, hypothermia, Mt. Everest, Son of God, Son of man