“Infinite and yet an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet nursing at a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet carried in a mother’s arms. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
For 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. Isaiah 9:6
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7
Isaiah spoke into a situation where Judah felt powerless, and they were afraid of the rulers to their North. As their enemies only seemed to grow in strength and tighten their grasp, they didn’t know if God was for them or against them or if God had simply abandoned them. Among Isaiah’s prophecies about their future defeat, exile, and return, he included two prophetic visions of a child who would represent God’s presence. Today, the world is still in need of God’s presence! Every year we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior which represents three things: hope, reconciliation, and salvation. First you must continue to hope despite if you’ve experienced many difficulties during these past few years; situations such as financial destitute, food insecurity, career changes, family/relationship strains, and other burdensome situations. Situations of this magnitude can cause you to no longer believe as your hope may have been damper, obliterated, and even made you wonder why you should continue to hope at all. Isaiah 9:6 prophecy gave during those days is relevant today. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called, wonderful, counselor, mighty god, everlasting father, prince of peace.” It can be concluded that the son represents hope. Jesus’ birth serves as a gift that brought us hope, the gift of hope because Jesus is the answer to one’s questions, the solution to one’s problems, and the remedy for the trials and tribulations you find yourself in. We must celebrate the gift of hope as we will celebrate the hope God gave us in the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ birth brought hope to a dark and fallen world and hope during times of uncertainty. Luke 2:7 is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6. He foretells that Jesus would be born. Jesus Christ represents hope regardless of what you will or may encounter. Always have hope that life will get better. Second, Jesus’ birth represents reconciliation. Mankind’s fall in the garden of Eden, put a chasm between God and mankind. Prior to the fall, God daily communed and fellowshipped with God. After the fall, this chasm prohibited such fellowship. However, Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection brought God and mankind back into a fellowship in which mankind could now go boldly to the throne of grace to speak to its creator directly. Thirdly, the birth of Jesus Christ represents salvation. Now that mankind is back into fellowship with God, the soul of mankind can now experience true salvation according to Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”
