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.”

Things were not going well for the Jews as Isaiah received this word from God.  Their illustrious history was but a memory. The glory days of David and Solomon were long gone. The people, the sons of Abraham, whom God chose to glorify him had been conquered by Syria then Babylon. Their hopes were dashed, instead of a new dawn, they could see only blacker night. Where was God? What should they do?  What can they do?  Questions without answers.

Closed in on every side they were conquered by despair. Then, they heard this word from the God of Israel, through the prophet Isaiah. “For unto us a child is born…he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Had I lived then I may have asked, “Why a child? We need a king and an army! We will know no peace until we throw off the yoke of foreign oppression and become our own kingdom once again, as in the days past.”

We know the story well.  In their utter distress no such savior appeared. They suffered exile for well over a hundred years.  Where is this child?  They may have asked.  Where is our commander who will win our freedom from domination?  No such were found. Ezra and Nehemiah did what they could but they could do only so much. It was not a happy day for Israel when they heard this word, “Unto you a child will be born…”  But God’s promise kept recurring in their memory. It will happen, some time.

Fast forward about 400 years. That word of God is heard once again.  This time God is fulfilling that ancient promise.  The day has come.  Luke recorded the voice from heaven, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  2:11

Thus the birth of Jesus was announced. I love the wording, “he will be born to you.”   It almost sounds like we are his parents! I suppose a better translation is that he will be born for us. No matter what, Jesus Christ came among us fulfilling all prophecy. Praise God for his faithfulness.