More to the Story
Christmas in the Old Testament


JESUS’ BIRTH IN ISAIAH (again!) 

"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." Isaiah 9:6(NIV)

This is Isaiah’s most direct prediction of the coming Messiah. Verse one of this chapter indicates he will come from Galilee (Nazareth is in Galilee). In the New Testament the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus is called a counselor in John 14. Jesus refers to God as Father, as does Paul, a designation personal and profound, one not given to deities of other religions. And he is one who defeats the powers of darkness destruction and despair. He is the Prince of peace. It is through Him that the Lion will befriend the lamb (Isaiah 11:6).

From a 21st century AD standpoint Christians believe that Messiah has come. Already. He has already brought peace and defeated evil through his death and resurrection. Already but not yet. Believers live in both realms. We know salvation has come to the world, but we have only glimpses, forshadowings, hints. Yet those hints and tastes of the coming salvation are so powerful that Christians can rejoice in the already and enjoy ahead of time the day when God’s salvation coming into its fullness. As Christmas eve approaches is it not true that the anticipation is the best part? Yet, and this is so awesome, Christianity claims that the reality of the new creation will exceed by light years the joy of our anticipation of it.