A Child is Born

Isaiah 9: 6-7: (NIV): 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. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 

    Amazingly, this was written more than 700 years before Jesus was born. This passage is in the middle of an astounding prophecy that said the Messiah would come from Galilee. A light would dawn there, it says, and bring hope.

   Jesus, in fact, fulfilled 350 prophecies from the Old Testament. Several are in this chapter.

    Jesus didn't just appear one day as a grown man. He was born to a family. He grew up just like we all do, and he knows what we go through. The government that is on his shoulders is not some local jurisdiction -- he rules the universe as its creator, author and sustainer. He always has and always will. Two chapters earlier, Isaiah tells us he would be born of a virgin and she would call him Immanuel, which means "God with us." Only God himself could fulfill this prophecy. Jesus is God himself, in human form.

   Jesus is called Wonderful Counselor. He is without peer as a counselor and guide. The Holy Spirit lives within us, giving us hope and comfort and strength.

He is Mighty God. Again, the Messiah was not just a good teacher, he was God among us. He is an Everlasting Father, who desires that we are mature and fulfilled. He is the Prince of Peace. The peace Jesus gives is peace with God and peace with ourselves. True peace comes from Jesus. He gives light, hope, comfort, salvation and peace. This is why Christmas is so important. This is why we celebrate.