“Rejoice in the Savior’s Birth!”
(Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 – Christmas Program – December 21, 2025)
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 – 2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined…. 6For 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. 7Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Dear Redeemed in Jesus Christ, who was born to be our Savior and King:
The prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ. Yet God allowed him to see the day of the Savior’s birth in a vision, as if it were happening in the present: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah rejoiced to see that the promised Savior would be born as a Baby; and yet, He would be “Mighty God” in our flesh! The prophet speaks as though he could not find sufficient words to praise this heavenly Child.
How much more can we rejoice today, knowing that our Savior’s birth is an accomplished fact, fulfilled some 2000 years ago for us? Let us “Rejoice in Our Savior’s Birth.”
1) Rejoice in His light
First in his prophecy, Isaiah invites us to rejoice in the Light of our newborn Savior. He says in verse 2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
What is that great Light Isaiah sees shining over the whole world? It is the Christ Child, the promised Messiah. It is the Lord Jesus, who came from heavenly glory to shine the light of His salvation on this sin-darkened world. As Jesus said in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
On whom does Isaiah see this Light shining? He shines on “the people who walked in darkness… those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death.” This is the condition of the children of Adam, fallen in sin. Due to our inherited sinful nature we had lost the perfect image of God. We had lost a right relationship with Him, as those who no longer shared His holiness. We were walking under the power of the prince of darkness, Satan and his lies. We were walking in spiritual darkness, not rightly knowing God but at enmity with Him. As such, we dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, living under the curse of sin, in fear of judgment. If God had not intervened, eternal death and darkness would have been our doom.
But in His love for a fallen world, from eternal realms of heavenly light, God sent His Son to us as the Savior of sinners. Jesus is “the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:9). He is the Light who dispels the darkness that covers the earth and its people. He is the Light who brings forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life to those walking in darkness and dwelling in the land of the shadow of death.
In place of our sin-darkened lives, the holy Child born at Christmas would live a bright and glorious life of perfect obedience to His Father in heaven. It is in the light of Jesus’ perfect life that God now looks at us and counts us with His righteousness. Not only that; the holy Child born at Christmas would remove all the darkness of our sin from the sight of His Father. Even though there was no sin in Jesus, He would go to the cross bearing all the darkness of our guilt, condemnation, and death. Then having done everything to win our salvation, having crushed the prince of darkness and any claim he had on us, Jesus rose from the grave in glory. He lives to share the victory of His forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life with us.
2) Rejoice in His gracious rule
Now, Isaiah invites us to rejoice in the gracious rule of our newborn Savior. Let us hear the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6: “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.”
When a royal child is born as heir to the throne, the citizens of the kingdom watch with eager interest. They wonder what his character will be like, and how he will rule over them. Here, Isaiah assures us that that the royal Child who was born to us has come to rule for our good, as our powerful and gracious King.
First of all, this heaven-sent King is no ordinary child. He is the eternal Son of God, conceived in the Virgin Mary and born in our flesh. How can this be? As the angel explained to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” The Savior is God’s personal gift, given to each of us in His birth. The Son of God has come to rule for our good. His gracious rule is seen in the humble and lowly manner He came to us, born in a stable, laid in a manger.
Now Isaiah tells us what His rule is like. The newborn King is called “Wonderful, Counselor,” because He is here to counsel and comfort us by His Word. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, come from the Father full of grace and truth (John 1:14). What wonderful counsel He gives, day by day, as He guides our way by His revealed Word of Holy Scripture. What wonderful comfort He gives, as He speaks His Word of forgiveness, reassuring us that He cares for us each day, and promising that He is bringing us home in eternal life.
He is called “Mighty God,” because He rules for us by His unsurpassed power. Jesus has conquered every enemy for us, freeing us from the power of sin, Satan, death. As our risen and ascended Savior, all things have been placed under His feet – every principality and power, even death itself. As Mighty God in our flesh, Jesus rules over all things for our good.
He is called “Everlasting Father,” because He rules with the kind of compassion a father has for His dear children. As a father cares for and protects his children, so the Savior who was born unto us, is here for us every day. We can cast all our cares on Him, knowing He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
He is called “Prince of Peace,” because He is here to fill our hearts with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). He has won the peace of forgiveness, the peace of knowing we live in God’s grace and favor, the peace of knowing that our life will not end in a dark grave, but continue in the glorious light, joy, and peace of His heavenly Kingdom.
3) Rejoice in His everlasting kingdom
Finally, Isaiah invites us to rejoice in His everlasting Kingdom. Let us hear the prophecy in Isaiah 9:7: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.”
Through history, many kingdoms have risen and fallen; many kings have lived and died. But the Savior born unto us at Christmas has established His Kingdom that has no end. As God promised King David, the Messiah would be born as his descendent according to the flesh; yet He would be the eternal Son of God. God told David: “I will establish the throne of His Kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son” (2 Samuel 7:13-14).
As the Son of God and Son of David, Jesus lives and reigns forever. He has established His Kingdom of Grace among us, as He brings His forgiveness, life, and salvation to us through His Gospel in Word and Sacrament. And He continues to increase His government and peace without end. With zeal, He sends His Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth, bringing sinners His blood-bought peace, bringing more and more souls by faith into His Kingdom of Grace. And at last, He who descended from His heavenly Kingdom to be born in time as our Savior will bring us home to His everlasting Kingdom of Glory.
Rejoice in the Savior’s birth! “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Rejoice that He was born to shine the light of His salvation on you. Rejoice that he was born to win for you the victory over sin, death, and Satan. Rejoice that He was born as your gracious King, who now rules for your good. And rejoice that He was born to bring you into His everlasting Kingdom and the never-ending peace and joy of heaven!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.