Advent Trail Christmas Day - 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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The Christmas story – and the Christmas event – are expressed beautifully in this verse from the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. And not just because the opening words, “For to us a child is born”, are so obviously relevant to what we celebrate on Christmas Day. The rest of the passage too makes direct and specific application to Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Our Advent reading on Day 3 was part of this same prophecy – “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” – and that was fulfilled at the beginning of Jesus’s preaching ministry in Galilee (9:1-2; Matt.4:13-16). Also, this child who will have the government on his shoulders “will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom for ever” (9:7). He is the Branch who will “come up from the stump of Jesse (the father of David)”, on whom “the spirit of counsel and of might will rest” (Isaiah 11:1-3; see Day 2).

So all the titles given to the child here are wholly appropriate – he is no less than God himself. And he is “given” to us – the gift of salvation, because of God’s love for us (John 3:16). Within that gift of himself, we find wise counsel, daily strength, loving care and a peace which passes understanding. Like all gifts, this gift cannot be bought but simply received. We do that by believing in him.