A Child is Born to Us
The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
Isaiah 9:2-7 | Luke 2:1-7
For a moment, try to read Isaiah 9 without little baby Jesus in mind. Imagine the promise and wait for it for a moment.
There are a lot of titles that eventually become Jesus’, but also one that doesn’t quite fit (“Eternal Father”!?).
Nonetheless, the spirit of the power of what happens in Christ’s birth is evident in this passage written well ahead of that nativity scene in Bethlehem.
May this Christmas Eve be filled with all the wonder, all the majesty, all the mystery, and all the salvation for you. For unto us, a child is born, indeed.
God will do it.
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
You have made the nation great;
you have increased its joy.
They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest,
as those who divide plunder rejoice.
As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them,
the staff on their shoulders,
and the rod of their oppressor.
Because every boot of the thundering warriors,
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned, fuel for the fire.
A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
and authority will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be vast authority and endless peace
for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
establishing and sustaining it
with justice and righteousness
now and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Prayer1
God,
You have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light:
Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth,
may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven;
where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen.
Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, Contemporary Collects: The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas, page 212.