CHRISTmas Promises Part 1: What Child is This?

INTRO

Have you ever marveled at a nativity scene?

The reason we celebrate the birth of Jesus, is because Jesus is unique. Jesus is special. Jesus came as a child of promise and brings hope for the world that transcends time!

Isaiah 7:13–14 ESV

And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Luke 1:26–35 ESV

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

Isaiah 9:2–7 ESV

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. 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.

1) Promise of Light!

Isaiah 9:2 ESV

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.

“walking in darkness” means living hopelessly and with uncertainty on what is right or wrong, purposeful or aimless

The promise God gives is that one would come who would bring clarity, assurance, and hope

In our lives, we have a desire to have purpose and to live in a way that is meaningful. We all have a built in desire to do right and make a difference.

Too often, people are just taking a shot in the dark to fulfill this desire that is birthed into us. After a while, when people are bouncing from purpose to purpose with no satisfaction, we sometimes give up and just live our lives in obscure darkness.

Jesus is a great light that illuminates our lives. He brings light and truth to our darkness. He calls us out of darkness and into His marvelous light! (1 Peter 2:9)

In Jesus we have a promise that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and through Him we may know the Father, find forgiveness, and walk in the light of redemption, truth, and righteousness!

2) Promise of Joy!

Isaiah 9:3–5 ESV

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.

God’s promise is that there will be a time where life is not a burden. Life will not be just trying to survive, but rather we will be able to thrive in joy.

The idea of this verse is that what used to make us live in fear and hold us back is gone! We can enjoy life and living in His glorious light!

Too often we can’t enjoy life because our lives and our choices are going in the wrong direction!

God promises that by living for Jesus and Jesus living in us, we can enjoy life, no matter the circumstances!

3) Promise of Peace!

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.

This isn’t a promise of an absence of turmoil (at least not for the time being). It is a promise though that if we are standing with this child, then we are on the right side!

God is the highest authority! The reason we can have joy by living in His light is because when it is all said and done, we will have peace with Him, through Jesus!

CLOSING

Have you sided with the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Jesus?

Are you walking in the Light of His glory and grace?

Are you able to live joyfully no matter the circumstances because you experience the fresh mercies of God through Jesus every morning?

Is God at peace with you because you have come to Jesus in sincere believe and surrendered to Him as Lord of your life?