The Light at the End of the Tunnel
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. Isaiah 9:6
Every Christmas, you will either send or receive at least one card with today's verse on it. But my question is, do people really know what it's talking about?
This is one of the most important passages about Jesus in the Old Testament, and it's important for us to fully understand what it says about Him.
First, it says that Jesus is fully human. In fact, it says He's even more human than Adam, because Adam was molded out of mud and began life as a fully functioning adult. Eve was the same way, but not Jesus. Jesus began life as a child. He was born as a baby, a real, human baby, just the same as you and me.
Or at least half the same as you and me, because the second thing we need to understand is that Jesus was fully holy. Both fully human and fully holy, He was born from a virgin mother. He was fully human because of His mother, but fully holy because His birth was miraculous, impossible without God making it happen and completely unlike any other human who ever lived.
Third, Jesus is fully God. He was born right around 0 AD, but that's not when His life began. He has always existed, created the world, and is fully God. There is not one single part of Him that isn't God. This is a claim no one else can make. Muhammad never claimed this. Buddha never claimed this. Not even Confucius claimed to be God (or a god).
The fact is that only Jesus has ever claimed to be all of these things-fully human, fully God, fully holy. But He doesn't just claim these things, He is these things. His birth proves it all.
And that is the power of these common Christmas card verses-the power of the incarnation, the proof that Jesus is who He says He is.
Prayer Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being everything You are! Because of who You are, You alone are worthy of my worship and You alone can save me. I choose to worship and follow You today!
Amen