God used the Prophet Isaiah to unveil Christ’s birth. Throughout the Israelite’s journey with God, they rebelled against His sovereignty and suffered physical, mental, and spiritual problems. However, the Lord did not give up on their stubbornness and foretold His plan to deliver Christ into the world.

Isaiah’s Prophecy

The Israelites’ relationship with God was not good during Isaiah’s generation. No, they lived apart from Him and indulged in behavior unacceptable to the Lord (Isaiah 1-5). So, God called upon Isaiah to prophesy His future interaction with them (Isaiah 6).

Isaiah spoke these words:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14, ASV)

In this scripture, God told His plan to dwell amongst them. He used a word they understood, Immanuel (God with us). One of the common themes throughout the Old Testament is the Israelite’s knowledge of God. However, they failed to adhere to His commands, and from their unwillingness to follow Him, He used Isaiah to uncover His plan to correct their disobedience.

Isaiah did not stop prophesying Christ’s birth, but shared God’s purpose in delivering His Son into the world.

He went on and said,

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

God unearthed the ultimate authority of Jesus. He showed Christ’s powerful display of His indisputable sovereignty. It is in this verse that five references to Jesus’s Deity unfold.

First, Isaiah uses the word Wonderful to describe Jesus’s unimaginable powers. This phenomenal prediction came true when Christ showed miracles. The world never experienced this supernatural presentation of God’s unmatched might. They became awed at His ability to heal the sick, blind, demon-infected souls and resurrect the dead. Yes, Jesus is wonderful!

Then he shows the Messiah as the Father’s Counselor. Jesus brought to light God’s wisdom. One of the most excellent examples of this truth came in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Within this homily are God’s precepts on faith, marriage, divorce, sexual conduct, love, and other significant holy attributes. Indeed, the Messiah, through the Holy Spirit, is our most incredible counselor.

Next, our Father unmasks Jesus as Mighty God. The Pharisees refused to believe this reality and convinced the Jews to crucify Him (Matthew 27:15-26). They accused Christ of being blasphemous (Luke 5:21). Christ did not directly say He is God. However, He unearthed that God and Him are one (John 10:30).

Isaiah also highlighted Jesus as God’s Everlasting Father. Here we come to understand Christ as the Savior. In John’s account, when Jesus converted a Samaritan woman, Christ revealed His everlasting truth (John 4:13). Another revelation from John showing the power of Jesus’s infinite reality came when He referred to Himself as the bread of life (John 6:35).

Isaiah ends with Christ as the Prince of Peace. It is in Jesus that we discover a peace unlike any other. His peace is not from the world but from God (John 14:27). Through Christ, we find peace during tribulations where holy courage emerges and a strength that overcomes our trials (John 16:33). Jesus provides us peace with God (Romans 5:1). Remarkable isn’t it?

Summary

As shown above, Christ’s birth is the world’s most significant event ever witnessed. It holds God’s final judgment on humanity and determines a person’s eternal destination (John 14:6). This is a brief account of Jesus’s birth. A more comprehensive understanding comes from a personal relationship with Him.

What does Christ’s birth mean to you?