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
I’ve had it memorized since Kindergarten. No matter the translation or way it’s sung, I can tell you where it’s originally found. And I’ve found comfort in its familiarity.
But friends, it wasn’t until this last week that I finally understood the significance. And I can now say, it’s become personal to me.
“Unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given.”
Do you see the difference with these two proclamations? Isaiah is not reiterating as I always assumed. No. He’s bringing Jesus a step closer.
FACT: A Child/Baby’s born. It’s rare to find someone who argues with this truth. But here’s the clincher: This baby born was already Someone’s Son…yet He was given as a gift UNTO US. For us. To us. Because of us — An already-claimed Son is given.
The Gift wasn’t necessarily the baby…the gift was that the baby was His Son. And the reason? We keep reading:
“And the government will be upon His shoulder.”
Jesus came to lighten my load. To take responsibility for the mess we’ve made. To offer a path less traveled and although narrow, it’s cleaner. Lighter. Freer.
No wonder I can call Him
“Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
And this season, as I sing the familiar choruses. As I pass by hundreds of nativities. As I contemplate the reason for the season, I will smile wide and take comfort in knowing…
Unto us…unto me…His Son has been given…
Friends, would you care to join me?
How about you? What does that verse mean to you? How will you give thanks for this ultimate gift this Season? I’d love to hear.
Amazing how familiar verses can suddenly become fresh & new to us, isn’t it? To me, the verse speaks of a sacrifice that we cannot make. I know of no one who would sacrifice their son for others. I might jump in front of a bullet for another, but there’s no way I would throw either of my boys in front of one to save someone else. Every time I hear my boys pray or when we talk about God & what He’s done for us, I am so grateful for Him. Grateful because I am saved and grateful because my boys are too. That makes me so very thankful.
Oh, I am with you..completely grateful! Thank you for sharing with me, Kari. And I’m sorry for my delayed reply–I was giving birth to a son this day! It’s brought Christmas to a whole new level for me… I trust you are savoring the Season!
No need to apologize, especially with a reason like that! Hey, I TOTALLY get where you’re coming from. My oldest was born on December 24th 15 years ago, and we adopted our youngest on December 15th three years ago. Actually, my post next Tuesday on 5MFF talks about this exact topic, how having a child changes everything. Enjoy your new little one! Time flies!
Thanks for the encouragement to stop and think anew about words familiar. I am blessed.
I’m blessed by you, Ginger. Thank you for reading my heart with so much grace! (and I’m sorry for my late reply — I was giving birth to a son when this went live! I’m still in awe…) Trust you are savoring whatever this Season holds for you, Ginger.