Let’s begin this Christmas by focusing on the things said about Jesus Christ long before He was ever born. The prophetic statements made about Jesus are inspiring and encouraging. I find Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus Christ to be one of my favorites. This is what Isaiah says about the Messiah in chapter 9: 1-7.

¹ Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan. ² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. ³ You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. ⁴ For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. ⁵ Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. ⁶For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

There is a lot of rejoicing in this prophecy about Jesus Christ. There is rejoicing because we no longer need to walk in darkness. Why? Because Jesus is the light of the world. There is rejoicing because the burden of legalistic rituals has been lifted by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. There is rejoicing because unto us a child is born and to us a son is given. That phrase in this prophecy teaches us a lot about Jesus Christ. The statement “a child is born” is a reference to the humanity of Jesus. Like any other human being Jesus is born. Unlike any other human, Jesus was born of a virgin. We can rejoice in the humanity of Jesus because He understands what it means to be human. Notice that it says “a son will be given” – not born. This statement is a reference to the preexistent deity of Jesus. He existed before His birth because He was given to us to be our Savior. Philippians 2:6-7 says, “ (Jesus) Who being in the very nature God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”   We can rejoice because Jesus came as the Son of God – God in a human body, to conquer sin and death forever. I really rejoice at the last statement Isaiah makes, “the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”   In other words, not only did God want to do this for us; He was enthusiastic about doing it!

Can you take a few minutes today and rejoice in God’s great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ? Think about His light, think about His freeing you from the yoke of bondage, think about God the Father excited and enthused about giving to you His Son Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Lord. After all, tis the season to be jolly!