Unto us a Child is born

The Christmas tradition has become so common that we often take for granted how great a privilege it is to live in a time after the birth of Christ. We take for granted how great a privilege it is to celebrate Christmas. Many in the Old Testament would have given anything to be able to celebrate Christmas. We can’t really comprehend what it was like to anticipate the birth of the messiah the way the people of the Old Testament did. During the season of advent we often reflect on what this season of waiting would have looked like. I believe the best perspective of this season of waiting is found in 1st Peter

The Prophets anticipation

1 Peter 1:10–12 (ESV)

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

This passage tells us the prophets would have LOVED to celebrate the birth of the messiah. They worked diligently to learn what they could about the messiah, and they did it for our sake. Among the prophets who studied the Advent of the messiah, there is perhaps none more prolific than Isaiah. The book of Isaiah contains the most prophecy regarding the messiah's birth. Isaiah would have been really excited about Christmas.

ILLUSTRATION: Isaiah probably would have been that person who puts their decorations up the day after Halloween. He’d listen to Christmas music as well. He’d probably like “Hark the herald angels sing” much better than “All I want for Christmas is you.

Remember that all you Christmas scrooge's who roll your eyes at those who fully throw themselves at the Christmas season.

Isaiah will be the main source for our Advent series this year. The name of our series is “Unto us a Child is born” Isaiah 9 will be our main passage of scripture. In this passage Isaiah paints a picture of a messiah who will bring about the end of the rebellion, sin, and destruction that was rampant in the time of the prophets.

Peace on Earth?

Today our focus is going to be on peace, and what it means for Christ to be our prince of peace, and what the peace of Christ looks like in our lives. The peace that was introduced in the birth of Jesus Christ is spoken about in length in Isaiah chapter. In this passage we learn a great deal about this peace, including the question. If Jesus really is the prince of peace, why does there seem to be such a lack of peace?

Peace is found in the Light

Isaiah 9:1–5 (ESV)

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 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. 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. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

In verse 2 Isaiah says the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and this light has been shown upon them.

We have a clear New Testament reference which indicates this light is indeed Christ John 8:12

John 8:12 (ESV)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Christ is the light of peace, Christ is the light in the darkness. And those who walk in his light will not walk in darkness.

But that doesn’t mean the darkness isn’t there, darkness has often been described as being simply the effect of the absence of light. Darkness will remain for as long as light is absent. Light will not expel the darkness until it arrives where the darkness dwells.

In order for light to expel the darkness, action must be taken in order for the light to arrive.

This action is either natural, such as the sunlight rising over the horizon

Or this action takes the intervention of man. Such as turning on a light, shining a flashlight or headlights, or flipping a light switch.

Peace found in Healing

In verse 1 the passage speaks of there being no gloom for those who are in anguish. And that during the former time, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali were sources of pain and anguish, for the Darkest and most cruelest deeds of the Assyrians happened there, however in the later time it will be made glorious.

Check out this passage from Matthew 4:12-17

Matthew 4:12–17 (ESV)

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

God has taken the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, places that experienced pain and suffering during the occupation of the Assyrians, and used that same place as a source of great hope. This region is where Jesus would start his ministry, which would change the world forever.

What does this say about the way Christ works in us?

Christ can take moments in our lives that brought us pain, and use them for peace.

Christ Ultimately did this with death, Christ took the greatest source of pain to the human condition, and used his own death to bring us hope, by conquering death by death in the resurrection, giving us the hope of our salvation.

I have no doubt there are people in this congregation who understand what it means for God to take an object or event which caused pain and or suffering, and transform that painful and stressful moment into something glorious.

This could be anything for an event in your life which seemed like a disaster at the time.

This could be a relationship or encounter with a person that once seemed painful, but was later used for good.

Peace is a process

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

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.

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 word I want us to focus on is Increase. The increase of his peace and government will have no end. His government, or kingdom is found in the church, we are THAT government. His church and his government are always increasing.

What does this mean? It means peace is not a blanket concept, but rather something that must be grown.

The growth of his peace is directly correlated with the growth of his kingdom.

Peace isn’t everywhere, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist! The peace of Christ must be spread and grown in the church.

Here’s a strange backward statement for you. Peace is war. Specifically Peace is a war of attrition.

Conclusion: The peace of Christ is something we most work to grow. Peace on earth and goodwill towards men was introduced when the angels relayed their message to the shepherds. However if we want to see the increase of Christ’s government and peace, we must work for it. Because the gospel is the catalyst by which it grows. Christ selected us his church as the carriers of his peace, and the instrument he uses to grow it. If we want peace on earth and goodwill to men, we must work. Because peace is a war of attrition.