Christmas 2016


Isaiah 7:14; 9:2–7
14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4For the yoke of His burden, and the staff for His shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, You have broken as on the day of Midian.
5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

As we celebrate this holiday with 2 million details, far too many gifts, massive quantities of cash, garish displays of flashing light, and for many, a great deal of stress the Lord Jesus still comes in quiet peace to a needy world. The Prophet Isaiah wrote of His birth 700 years before it happened. And 2,700 hundred years after that writing we must still stand in awe of our Gracious God who fulfills all His promises. These words from Isaiah have become ubiquitous in our celebrations of the Savior’s birth and rightfully so. Their stunning accuracy and descriptive properties are miraculous. In working through this text I’ve read it at least 10 times and with each reading, my awe and peace deepen. This is a powerful passage that is filled with hope, strength, and promise.

Here are just a few of the thoughts that flash through my mind as I read these familiar words:

  1. A Virgin shall conceive. Wait – what? How will that happen? It will be a miracle, plain and simple.
  2. His name will be “Immanuel” – God with us!
  3. He was, is and forever shall be pure light and that light dwells with us chasing away the darkness that surrounds us.
  4. We will be completely satisfied with the bounty of His supply and will be overjoyed at His never-ending provision.
  5. Yoke – Staff – Rod. All the trappings of our slavery to sin will be gone.
  6. Bloody Garment, all symbols of warfare will be burned.

Verse 6 deserves its own space. That is the one we all learn, remember, and expect to hear at Christmas time. Just a couple of details on this verse to deepen your time in this passage.


  • Jesus is born to us as a human but given by the Father because He already existed! Just ponder that for a bit.
  • In the words “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” we find the Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is All In All. 
Finally, we find that the birth of the Savior is because of the “zeal of the Lord of Hosts". Undaunted by the unfaithfulness of the chosen people, the zeal of the Lord…will do what was required so that people everywhere might inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. The beauty of this passage is undeniable.

I challenge you to go back and read through these words several more times. Allow the Spirit to deepen your wonder at the amazing miracle that is the birth of Jesus Christ. And when you hear these words again over the next few days, your worship will grow and your heart will move your love for Him to a deeper place. That is my prayer for you this Christmas and every day as we seek the Lord’s face together through the gift of His Word. Merry Christmas to each one of you and may your time in His presence be truly transcendent.

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