Isaiah 9:6-7 Candlelight Service (What Child is this?)

Good evening, on this rare, blustery South Carolina evening.

Welcome to our Candlelight Service here at MCAS Beaufort.

I hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas as we come to remember - The Birth of Our Savior and the New Born King.

Today - I have titled this service - What Child is this?

Our songs and Scripture reading will encourage us to consider - What is the nature of the Child we celebrate on Christmas day?

Song #1: Come All Ye Faithful (#231, v.1-3)

1 O come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold him,

born the King of angels.

Refrain:

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord!

2 God from true God, and

Light from Light eternal,

born of a virgin, to earth he comes!

Only-begotten Son of God the Father:

Refrain:

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord!

3 Sing, choirs of angels,

sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest:

Refrain:

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord!

Next, if you would sing -

Song #2: Away in A Manger (#232, v.1-3)

1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,

and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay

close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

and take us to heaven to live with you there.

As we began here - may we recall Luke’s Gospel and the recording of the Birth of our Savior.

Luke 2:1–7 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Now May we Pause for a Special tonight.

Special: Silent Night, Holy Night (#236, v. 1-3)

> Rebekah will sing Silent Night by sign language.

> While the rest of us sing Silent Night.

Song #3: Little Town of Bethlehem (#242, v. 1)

1 O little town of Bethlehem,

how still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

the silent stars go by;

yet in thy dark streets shineth

the everlasting light.

The hopes and fears of all the years

are met in thee tonight.

Song #4: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (#238, v. 1)

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King:

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th'angelic hosts proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King"

Now as we sing next -

Song #5: What Child is this? (#230, v.1-3)

>>>> I want you to think about that question.

1 What Child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus:

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

2 Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]

Chorus:

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

3 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come, peasant, king to own Him.

The King of kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.[Chorus]

Chorus:

This, this is Christ, the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

This song asked the question - What child is this?

One of my favorite passages about the Birth of Jesus - Isaiah 9:6-7.

It tells us very distinctly - what child this is...

Important Background:

Now remember the context of this passage. It comes as a promise from God to an Israelite nation overcome by fear.

In Isaiah’s day, the Assyrian empire was conquering nation after nation in the Ancient Near East. The Assyrians had now turned to begin attacking the divided nation of Israel. The Southern Kingdom of Israel, Judah, was fearful of this nation, being far inferior to this great army.

ILLUSTRATION:

We can understand that fear. It was like the fear after Pearl Harbor. Our nation feared that the Japanese might invade the West Coast, and so the days following Pearl Harbor we feared an invasion by the Japanese.

> The Southern Kingdom feared the threat of invasion from the Assyrian army.

> Many had talked about making treaties with other nations in hope of protecting itself.

However, through the Prophet Isaiah -

the Israelites are promised by God that the Assyrians will not conquer the Southern Kingdom of Israel.

As a part of that promise, God gave a promise of a coming child in Isaiah 7:14 whose name will be Emmanuel, God is with us.

We are told in Isaiah 9:6 that this child will rule in the throne of David and we are given a series of names that describe this child.

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 first promise we have - this Child will be a

Promise #1: Wonderful-Counselor.

A Counselor – “gives advice or wisdom”

ILLUSTRATION:

Our President-Elect is gathering around him a number of counselors. Each one is meant to give him advice on how to run our government.

Politics aside, the people who make up the President’s cabinets are often brilliant people in the area that they serve.

But Christ is significantly different. He does not need a counsel of people, because he is the wonderful counselor.

“an extraordinary counselor”

His wisdom far exceeds any of ours.

Christ’s wisdom was demonstrated throughout his ministry. His teachings taught the true meaning and heart motive that is required under the law. His teachings far surpassed the superficial external teachings of the Scribes and Pharisee’s.

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, one of the principle times of Jesus’s teachings, the crowd stood astonished at his Wisdom.

Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV)

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Paul described Jesus as having all the wisdom and knowledge:

Colossians 2:3 (ESV)

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This child was promised to be the most competent, wise ruler that has ever been King.

We ought to rejoice - because one day Jesus will return and began the wisest, most competent , righteous rule in human history.

Song #6: We Three Kings of Orient (#228, v. 1)

1 We three kings of Orient are;

bearing gifts we traverse afar,

field and fountain, moor and mountain,

following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of light,

star with royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding,

guide us to thy perfect light.

Next, Isaiah teaches us that this - baby will no other than God in the flesh -

Isaiah 9:6 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.

Promise #2: Mighty God.

This term here clarifies he is not simply a man, but he will be the God-Man.

This child will not be an ordinary child because he will be the “mighty God”. J

Jesus was a divine child.

Further, the term mighty God is meant to refer to the power of God.

> Might refers to God’s strength.

> In other words his power.

See the similar usage in Deut 10:17.

Deuteronomy 10:17 (ESV)

17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.

The point is that in contrast to the god’s of Egypt, Yahweh was far superior.

Our context, again is in light of an opposing military force. Isaiah is emphasizing that this child will be the all-powerful God.

Psalm 24:8 (ESV)

8 Who is this King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

There is no one who is more powerful than this child that is to be born. He will protect His chosen people.

Theological Elaboration:

The context here points us to a mighty ruler, a commanding general.

But the greatest foe to mankind was not an army or a ruler.

It was death.

>>>> The one foe who effects every living person in all of humanity going back generation to generation is death.

ILLUSTRATION:

You want to look at a battlefield, go to a cemetery. Around the world there are cemeteries filled with victims of the enemy of death.

Here in Beaufort we are blessed to have one of our National cemetaries.

Contained in that cemetary are military members who died of combat and natural causes from the 1860s to the present.

This child will be a mighty one because he will put every enemy under his rule.

1 Corinthians 15:24–26 (ESV)

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Therefore, we can hope in Christ birth because he is the mighty God.

> The one who no one is capable of opposing every enemy of ours.

> There is no enemy that can defeat this child.

Not traditional Christmas hymn - but I think a fitting one. Lets sing -

Song #7: Immortal, Invisible (#36, v. 1)

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Additionally we are told he is the -

Promise #3: Everlasting Father.

Isaiah 9:6 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.

The name, “everlasting father” is an interesting anomaly in how the Biblical authors describe the trinity.

The idea of this child being an “everlasting father” is not the idea of God the Father of the Triune Godhead.

>>>> Instead, it emphasizes this child’s position in relationship to time.

He is literally the everlasting father because he created time.

Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16 that Christ created all things.

Colossians 1:16 (ESV)

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

This means that this child, baby Jesus was there before creation, and was the creator of time.

We can hope in the Birth of Christ because he is the eternal father.

There will be no end to him or his rule. He is the one person in all of the universe that we can always count on.

Song #8: O Holy Night (#240, v. 1)

1 O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!

But next, consider -

Promise #4: Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6 tells us

Isaiah 9:6 (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.

Israel is fearful of an oncoming assault from Assyria, but God has promised them a prince of peace.

They will have a ruler who can establish and guarantee the peace of the nation.

Whether by force, he is the “mighty one” or by diplomacy, he will bring peace to the land.

ILLUSTRATION:

Our country will spend $761 billion on defense spending in 2023. That is an unfathomable number. For most Americans, a million dollars would be a vast expenditure. A billion dollars is more than I can fathom. 761 billion is mind boggling.

Yet, have we brought peace to the world.

We are still threatened by conventional forces, that is tanks and aircraft, by our enemies, and by terrorists who threaten the security of our county on a daily basis.

This child will do an impossible job, bring peace to the Kingdom forever.

Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)

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.

He will be called the prince of peace.

We can hope in this child because he is the one who will bring peace.

Whether it is the bloodshed of war or the bloodshed of natural death,

he will bring an end to that struggle and bring eternal peace to His Kingdom.

Song #9: All Hail the Power of Jesus (#138, v. 1)

1 All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all!

And finally - I want you to remember he is a -

Promise #5: Good Eternal King

Isaiah 9:7 ESV

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.

In America, we are a little bit snobbish about kings.

> Our history raises us up - to despise any person who dares to tell us that we can’t do anything.

> Or to despise the idea that one person deserves devotion and honor - like a king does.

But apart of that is because human history is filled with terrible kings.

Kings - who don’t bring prosperity, justice, or peace.

It was true of Israel .... and certainly true of American and Colonial history.

The Declaration of Independence - reads like a legal document citing the violations of King George III.

But this child to be born - is a child who will bring the greatest time of human flourishing in human history … and it will last forever.

> Remember every time we complain about our government … remember there is a coming a king … who will truly bring prosperity and flourishing.

Song #10: The Birthday of a King (#251, v. 1-2)

1 In the little village of Bethlehem, There lay a Child one day, And the sky was bright with a holy light O'er the place where Jesus lay.

Refrain: Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light, 'Twas the birthday of a King.

2 'Twas a humble birth-place, but O how much God gave to us that day, From the manger bed what a path has led, What a perfect, holy way. [Refrain]

Refrain: Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light, 'Twas the birthday of a King.

CONCLUSION

So what do we conclude - What child is this - that was born on Christmas day?

Promise #1: Wonderful-Counselor.

Promise #2: Mighty God.

Promise #3: Everlasting Father.

Promise #4: Prince of Peace

Promise #5: Good Eternal King

He is child who brings good tidings of great news to all of us.

May we finish our candlelight service singing -

Song #11: Joy to the World (#224, v. 1-4)

1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3 No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.

4 He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.