“For Unto Us a Child Is Born” (Isaiah 9:6)

“For unto us a child is born” is a popular phrase that can be found on many festive signs, holiday cards, and decorations during the Christmas season. The quote comes from Isaiah 9:6: 

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.

 Some 700 years before Christ’s incarnation, Isaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah who would rule the world and bring peace to all nations. For Christians today, it is a reminder of Christ’s incarnation – that the God of the universe became flesh and dwelt among us.

Even in this short passage the language is very intentional. “A child is born” references Jesus’ humanity. He had to come as a human to sympathize with our weaknesses, be tempted in all things, and yet still be without sin. “A son is given” emphasizes His deity. Jesus was not created or “born” into existence at one point. Instead, He has eternally existed as the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity who was given to us at the right time. The prophecy even gives the Messiah four different titles, each telling us who He is and what He will do for His people.

“Wonderful Counselor” – Christ is referred to as the Word of God in John 1:1, and He is a Wonderful Counselor because He instructs people according to the Truth. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus taught with such authority that he amazed multitudes and was able to change hearts and transform lives through His preaching. Even now, as He sits at the right hand of God, He still intercedes for His people.

“Mighty God” – Even though Jesus emptied himself by taking on human flesh, that act in no way diminished His deity. During His time on earth, He retained all the glory and power of God. Jesus was, is, and forever will be the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (Hebrews 1:3).

“Everlasting Father” – This is not to confuse Jesus with God the Father. Rather, in ancient times, kings and rulers were sometimes referred to as “fathers” of their people. While all other kings will only rule for a brief time, Jesus rules in heaven for all eternity, and one day will rule on His throne in the Kingdom and in the new heaven and new earth forever.

“Prince of Peace” – Jesus brings peace with God to those who trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. This reconciliation with God is the great need of all people and can only be found in Christ. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and our sin separates us from Him. God is holy and cannot abide with sin, but thankfully Jesus came to reconcile us to God by dealing with the consequences of our sin. He did this by sacrificing Himself on the cross not only to pay for the penalty of our sins, but also to impute His righteousness to us so that we can have a right standing before God.

So, as we celebrate another Christmas season, remember and be thankful that God has given the gift of His Son who has made it possible for sinners like us to have peace with Him. Jesus was born into this world so that He might die on a cross.

As Christians we rejoice in this because our hope is still in Him, that Christ will one day return and rule forever as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.