A King-Sized Christmas
Part 1 of the “Christmas Isn’t Cancelled” series
2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. 3 You will multiply the nation, You will increase their joy; They will rejoice in Your presence As with the joy of harvest, As people rejoice when they divide the spoils. 4 For You will break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. 5 For every boot of the marching warrior in the roar of battle, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:2-7 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
When the Prophet Isaiah promised the birth of a Savior for the people of Israel, they didn’t know how long it would take to get the gift, but their hope endured. Like a child waiting for Christmas morning, the follower of Jesus can be confident that in due time, what God gives will not disappoint. Even when it feels like God is far off from us, we can trust that God is working because God is faithful to God’s Word.
◦ The people would experience growth, joy, provision, and an end to war.
◦ A Child and a Son would be born to usher in the greatest gift: true peace.
◦ His Kingdom will reign forever.
Questions for Reflection
What was the worst Christmas gift you ever received? What was the best?
What parts of Isaiah’s prophecy have been fulfilled, and what things are yet to come?
How does waiting on God affect your faith?
Do you ever grow discouraged or begin to expect God to show up in certain ways?
How do you reorient to God’s will instead of your own?
What is one thing God has given you, outside of salvation, that felt really undeserved?
The BIG Idea
When the Prophet Isaiah promised the birth of a Savior for the people of Israel, they didn’t know how long it would take to get the gift, but their hope endured. Like a child waiting for Christmas morning, the follower of Jesus can be confident that in due time, what God gives will not disappoint. Even when it feels like God is far off from us, we can trust that God is working because God is faithful to God’s Word.
- The words of God from Isaiah became a message that the people of God would faithfully cling to for hundreds of years.
◦ The people would experience growth, joy, provision, and an end to war.
◦ A Child and a Son would be born to usher in the greatest gift: true peace.
◦ His Kingdom will reign forever.
- The hope for the people of God could be found in and fulfilled by only one person: Jesus. This was a promise from God.
- The long-awaited promise of redemption was at last being realized.
- As we grow older, we learn what disappointment feels like.
- Though it might be easy to judge the Jewish nation for rejecting Jesus, it is more productive to learn from their mistakes.
- God gave us a King who was more concerned with conquering sin and inviting people into an everlasting Kingdom than with wearing a political or national crown of power.
- God has already given us the Gift, so until we see Him again, our privilege is to share that Gift.
Questions for Reflection
What was the worst Christmas gift you ever received? What was the best?
What parts of Isaiah’s prophecy have been fulfilled, and what things are yet to come?
How does waiting on God affect your faith?
Do you ever grow discouraged or begin to expect God to show up in certain ways?
How do you reorient to God’s will instead of your own?
What is one thing God has given you, outside of salvation, that felt really undeserved?