Don't Carry It Anymore

November 30, 2025

Pastor Travis Deatherage presented today's message, "Don't Carry It Anymore." A video of today's message is here on YouTube. It may help to be familiar with the message, but is not necessary to enjoy below.

Today began a 4-week series focusing on the four names given to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, "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" (NIV). So today (1st Sunday of Advent) was Wonderful Counselor.

I thought I'd add a few more nuances to what the original words suggest. These will differ from commentator to commentator because of perceived usage differences, different source languages (in this case: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and different contexts applied. I'm sticking to the Biblical Hebrew.

First, there's Wonderful. In Hebrew, it's peh'-leh (פֶלֶא). It derives from a similar word for miracle or marvelous thing, astonishing or wonderful. It's mostly used in the Book of Psalms referring to "Wonders of God" and the like.

It's also used in Exodus 15:11, "Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You - majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?" BibleHub suggests that "From the moment Israel steps onto the eastern bank of the Sea, peh'-leh signals God's self-disclosure. The 'wonders' are not random displays of power but covenantal acts that unveil His holiness, inspire fear, and elicit praise. Every later occurrence recalls, echoes, or anticipates that foundational revelation." Having earlier linked peh'leh with God (here in Exodus), the prophet's use of the word clearly links the coming Messiah with Godly forces.

The Torah and Judaism would remind us of the importance of remembering God's wonders. Christology suggests that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Wonder, uniting divine nature and human need.

Then comes Counselor from yah-ats' (יָעַץ). Meanings in the verb form include advise, advise well, advertise, consult, determine, devise, guide, plan, and purpose. It can be used reflexively, as in counsel yourself: e.g. deliberate or resolve.

The word is used in Exodus 18:19-24 when Jethro's advice to Moses preserved the leader's (Moses') strength. This revealed a key attribute of Moses, the ability to accept good advice.

So how does God's counsel reach us. Primarily by scripture and the Holy Spirit. How do you test what you think you've understood or heard? BibleHub.com suggests:

• Test every plan against God’s Word; counsel contrary to Scripture is ultimately futile (Isaiah 8:20)
• Seek a multitude of spiritually mature counselors; isolation breeds error (Proverbs 15:22)
• Rejoice that God's counsel stands when circumstances appear chaotic (Psalm 33:11)
• Anticipate the consummation of all divine counsel in the return of the "Don't Carry It Anymore," Jesus Christ, who now guides His church by the Spirit of counsel (John 16:13-14)

Bonus

One to Keep, One to Give

This idea of giving a gift to keep along with a gift to give came up in a 2021 Christmas movie: Royally Wrapped for Christmas. It developed in the plot line as the new theme of an international children's gift donation operation started generations ago by the royals of Valdonia.

It struck me as a great idea. Not only does a child get a gift, but they also get to experience the giving of a gift which is, of course, closer to what the season is all about.

Give it a go!



Speaking of Christmas movies... If you're a fan of the Pitch Perfect series (2012, 2015, and 2017), you'll probably get a kick out of The Mistle-Tones (2012). Christmas music to my ears!

Lastly, if you haven't seen The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, don't miss it this year. My little write-up on it is here. And for a bonus this year, Encore Community Arts is putting this story live on stage at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument, CO on December 12 and 13.

Bonus2

St. Nicholas Day, December 6th

Years ago, I developed a 1-man presentation wherein St. Nicholas tells his own story. It's primarily based on Bill Bennett's book, The True Saint Nicholas. Another good book (novel) by Glenn Beck is The Immortal Nicholas.

In approximately 45 minutes, Saint Nicholas will tell of his childhood in Patara, his days in the priesthood, becoming Bishop of Myra, and many of the tales and stories along the way during his life and after, all the way to the present day.

St. Nicholas was very good at one of the best attributes to carry: gratitude. One of his favorite phrases was "Thanks be to God!"

The script is here: St. Nicholas Tells His Story" by Jamie Foster. Feel free to use it however you'd like.

We'll be doing the 15-minute version again this year on Saturday evening...

Bonus3

God's Names Advent Calendar

Inspired by the initiation of the Advent series at church this morning, the Four Names for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, I created an Advent Calendar to discover 25 names the Bible has given to God/Jesus. Actually, there are more names, too, but December 1st to the 25th is only 25 days. Here's the "God's Names Advent Calendar." Feel free to enjoy it.

Who knew there was a free online service to build your own Advent Calendar: MyAdvent.net.