Given

This week, we are going to push pause on Paul’s letter to the Jesus followers in Corinth and focus on the birth of Jesus from prophecy to promise to presentation. First, we are going to look at the prophecy. Isaiah wrote one of the most famous prophecies about Jesus over 700 years before he was born. The words were originally written to the people of Jerusalem who were feeling the threat of attack from the nation of Assyria.


Isaiah 9
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 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.


Given. This time of year is all about giving gifts. Isaiah prophesied about the original gift ... given by God ... Jesus. I love the words he uses to describe Jesus ... “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. You have probably heard them mentioned once or twice in a Christmas carol. I would encourage you to take a minute to read through Isaiah’s description of the original gift. Go ahead ... read through it two or three times ... slowly enough to truly soak in each word. Individually, each word provides a beautiful gift. Collectively, it provides the best gift ever. I also wanted to offer you one last thought about this gift, written by Robert B. Chisholm Jr., "Look at Jesus. As the Wonderful Counselor, he has the best ideas and strategies. Let's follow him. As the Mighty God, he defeats his enemies easily. Let's hide behind him. As the Everlasting Father, he loves us endlessly. Let's enjoy him. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us while we are still his enemies. Let's welcome his dominion."