“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NASB)
Babies are born every day, and each one is a unique creation of a loving God. They are special gifts to families who are blessed to be entrusted with such small and fragile wonders.
But the birth of one baby boy to a mother and her betrothed Joseph over 2000 years ago was far and away the most significant birth ever before or since, as this baby’s birth marked the beginning of the most pivotal point in human history; so significant that it divided time itself, dividing BC from AD. And there were many signs – miraculous signs – surrounding this birth to affirm that.
To begin with, the anticipated birth of a newborn is typically announced by the parents only a few months prior to expected delivery. And yet this baby’s birth, as well as his birthplace, was foretold close to 800 years before he was born (Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2).
This baby had a mother and a father, but unlike all other babies his mother was a virgin, and his Father was God. This young virgin mother was chosen directly by God to carry His Son, a miraculous birth, which is, of course, impossible apart from God (Luke 1:26-38).
Contrary to every other baby that has been conceived, this baby’s conception was not the beginning of his life. It was only his incarnation – or the physical manifestation of God to us. He existed with God the Father, as God the Son, as pure eternal Spirit (John 1:1), God of God, light of light, begotten of the Father, prior to this birth. This baby was God, come from God, to demonstrate the character of God to demonstrate His love in redemption of a people who are fallen and lost in a cursed world.
And He chose to enter this cursed and fallen world as a baby (Col. 2:9). This God in human flesh, the baby Jesus, was called Immanuel, which means “God with us,” (Matt. 1:23). God gave His Son to us, as Isaiah 9:6 says, to dwell with us, in order that He could die for us.
God became a man so that He could die. As God, He could not die. But in His human nature He could. And as the perfect God-Man, He could shed His own innocent blood, sufficient to cover all our sin, and rescue as many as believe in Him from the condemnation of eternal death in hell (Heb. 2:14-15). Jesus, God’s Son, was born in order that He might save those who believe in Him from the power of death to life eternal with Him.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
This explains why a baby born to a virgin and her betrothed, in a cold animal stable in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago is different from all the rest. This explains why Christ’s birth is so eternally significant.
The miraculous birth of the Christ elicits our rejoicing of the God-Man, Immanuel, without which there could be no Calvary, no salvation; and without Calvary there could be no rescue from the death sentence of sin for any one of us.
The birth of the Anointed Savior is God’s gift of Himself to us, that we can know what it is to enjoy abundant life with Him in His kingdom forever! (John 10:10).
If you do not yet know God, run to Him with great earnest! Humble yourself before Him, confessing your sins and seeking His forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation from the condemnation of eternal death. Receive the precious gift of His Son as your personal Savior (John 3:16).
And if you are one of His redeemed children already, spend time celebrating in your personal / family devotions and Lord’s Day worship, adoring God your Father with thanksgiving for His unspeakable gift!
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)
- Lord, I am so glad You revealed to us the coming of Your Son as God incarnate. “Christ came and preached to them which were far off, and to them which were nigh,” (Eph. 2:12) that is, both to the Jews and Gentiles. And that peace which He preached when He came was purchased by His blood. The baby leads us to the cross. I cannot expect peace in any other way, but by the blood of the cross.
- Help me, Lord, to believe that this baby born in a manger, the Head of the church and the eternal Son of God, is sufficient to atone for my sins. Let me take heart in His promises. He is my Advocate with You, and He will not fail to mediate my peace. As the “Prince of peace,” (Isa. 9:6) He has unlimited power to make peace, when, and for whom He pleases.
- When I think of the manger, I think of You “… in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation,” (2 Cor. 5:19). I am sometimes guilty of an unbelieving fear that You are averse from giving me full peace and pardon. In my heart I imagine You easily taking vengeance on sinners like myself far more than I see You ready to forgive sin. But that is not the message of the Gospel. If You were so intent on destroying the sinner, why have You provided a city of refuge for me? How shall You, “…who did not spare [Your} own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall [You] not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-39). Help my unbelief. Help me see the extent of Your love in the Christ child.
Further References for Isa. 9:6
Isa. 22:22, 7:14; Luke 2:11; John 3:16; Ps. 45:3; Isa. 10:21; Zech. 6:13
