A Predictable Christmas
December 24, 2022
Isaiah 9:1-7
We live in a world filled with constant change. When we watch the news, we see the changes taking place, but who hasn’t been watching the weather the past few days. Sometimes, it’s nice not to have any change. Sometimes we need to hear what’s predicted and what we believe is true.
We’ve all experienced good and bad this year, but right now, we need to hear what’s good and steady and constant. One of the great statements from God is the fact that His love is everlasting and steadfast. That’s great news. News we need to always hold onto.
Every Christmas Eve I basically preach the same sermon. I mean, it’s new every year, but you really know what I’m kind of going to say. There’s no shocking new story tonight.
But maybe that’s a good thing too.
Because when we hear the scripture tonight, which is a traditional one about the prediction of Jesus’ birth - - - I want you to hear this passage like it’s the first time you’re ever hearing it, but at the same time to know and trust that this is a never changing truth as well.
In chapter 9, the prophet Isaiah wrote - - -
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
Now, admittedly, this sounds kind of like an up and down scripture. It starts that the people are in darkness. Yet we see how there’s joy, like at harvest time, that God defeated their enemy. In a sense He broke the backs of their oppressor.
Then we get a war image. Boots, blood, warriors, battle, fire and tumult. That doesn’t sound all too Christmasy. Talk of war and destruction. A time of angst and confusion. But Isaiah’s building up to the key passages. But to get there, we need to see that there were problems in the world.
We needed someone to come and save us. Someone who could redeem us and be our light and show us the way back. Now listen to what Isaiah tells us - - -
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.
7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over His kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.
The predictable part of this passage is that people need God. But imagine hearing this for the first time!! Can you imagine the hope it would give you. Now --- we kind of yawn and think, yup, I’ve heard that one before. But the point from Isaiah is that everybody needs God.
Isaiah was writing in a time where people had turned their backs on God. The northern kingdom of Israel had been captured by the Assyrians and the southern kingdom of Judah was under attack.
The people turned their backs on God to worship false gods, to worship idols. They thought they could do it all on their own, they didn’t need God.
But Isaiah’s pretty serious here. But what’s really cool and it’s so easy to miss . . . is this . . . Isaiah is writing in the past tense. It’s as if this is how you were, but not anymore. Think about verse 2 - - -
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has light shone.
It’s past tense! That’s the past and the new reality is that a light is now shining on them. They’ve seen the light and the light was and is Jesus. There will be no more gloom. They were living in darkness because they had turned away from God.
It’s relevant to us today, because most of us go on our happy go lucky way, and we hope for God to bless us, maybe we can wear our lucky socks to the interview, or flip that coin enough and we’ll eventually win. Hold onto that rabbits foot. But that only keeps us in darkness. The people back then were just as superstitious as we are today.
We think we don't really need God; we can turn from gloom and doom on our own. But Isaiah’s telling us we can’t do it on our own.
I’m not going to get into the idols we set up. They were in darkness, and let me just ask you tonight, how many of you are walking in darkness? We all know what darkness looks like. It’s hard to navigate in darkness. We need light, so we can move from darkness to light.
So, on the one hand, we’re in a predictable predicament . . . we’ve all tried to control and manage life on our own terms, creating our own idols.
But . . . and this is where the light comes in . . .
There’s another predictable event happening. It was prophesied back in the creation story, in Genesis. God’s going to send someone, we didn’t get it then, but we do now.
God’s telling us “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light and those living in the land of the shadow of death, a lighted has dawned. He’s enlarged the nation and increased our joy.” The joy is anticipated; the joy of what God is going to be doing.
The promise is not the promise of an earthly king, but it’s the promise of the coming of King Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. Isaiah is talking about victory.
And here’s the victory, it’s predicted.
We go from war in verse 5, to a child in verse 6. The expectation is that when you talk about warrior’s blood and boots, you're not expecting the birth of a child. But that’s the irony in Isaiah. The promised One is going to be the King of kings and Lord and lords — the one who is going to take away the sins of the world.
“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be on His shoulders.” He is to be our Lord. Not just our Savior, but Lord as well.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This baby’s names are his titles and his titles are his names. These are titles given to a king.
This child - king - Savior - Redeemer is given these remarkable names we can hold onto. They’re a constant, they’re always with us. Even predictable, if we’re willing to hold onto them.
He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
He gives us wisdom, comfort, strength, He is eternal and He is the author of peace.
I could go on, but I want to point out one more thing . . . Isaiah tells us in the end,
The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this. That's the guarantee.
God will passionately, fervently make this happen. It’s going to happen, don’t doubt, even if you’ve heard the story a 100 times, even if you don’t think there’s any thing new . . . that’s OK.
Because more than anything what we see in this message from Isaiah, is the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords, the predictable message of the birth of Christ. The Wonderful, Mighty, Everlasting Prince reigns now and forever.
We’re all in need of God. That same prophet would write about that Prince of Peace going to the cross, taking our sin upon Himself. That was predictable too.
Maybe this text has reminded you of what God has done in Christ; once again when you hear the power of these words. Your soul is freed and strengthened and encouraged.
This birth message never gets old. Jesus Christ has come to save sinners. And in the babe in this manger He took care of us by going to the cross. That is God’s power on full display. The predictable message of the birth of Christ shows us that a Wonderful, Almighty, Everlasting Prince reigns now and forever.
We have walked in darkness, but now the light of the world has come, He is Jesus, the Lord! The child who became King, who seeks to save and redeem us from the darkness.
As we prepare to light our candles, I want to encourage you, if you’ve never done it, to say yes to Jesus. Maybe it’s simply to recommit yourself to Him, to the name which is above every name. To the One whom we will all ultimately proclaim is Lord . . .
In a moment we are going to light our candles, and that got me thinking about some of the reasons why we do that.
Light is a symbol of hope. A beacon guides an airplane home in foggy conditions. A lighthouse steers a ship away from the dangerous shoreline. The reflectors on the highway median will guide you in darkness. How many of us like to have a night light on, whether we’re 5 or 85?
People in darkness are overjoyed to see light. Have you ever driven through a long dark tunnel? It’ fun for a moment, but you’re glad when you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Jesus came as a light to guide us and take away the darkness. Jesus said - - -
46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. - John 12:46
Jesus came into a spiritually dark world. It’s still that way, but Jesus reminds us that He has overcome the world. We’re battling through our personal situations, as well as global issues of pandemics, wars, famine, sickness, social discord and so on.
But from the time Jesus was born until the time He died, Jesus, the light, attracted people.
Jesus constantly drew people out of the darkness. The blind are given sight. The dead are raised to life. The hungry are fed. The sick are healed. The spiritually thirsty are quenched with Living Water.
Let’s get ready to light our candles with this passage in mind - - -
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Aah, that’s my Jesus and yours!
