Christmas Sermon: Why We Celebrate Him (Is 9:6-7)

Why We Celebrate Him

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

Why do we celebrate Christmas, the birth of a child that came into the world 2,000 years ago? Christmas comes from two words, Christ and mass. Mass is a worship service, so Christ-mas is a day we celebrate Christ. Christmas reminds us that God keeps his promises. Long before the manger, long before Mary and Joseph, God spoke in this passage through Isaiah to a nation in crisis—promising light, hope, and a King who would rule forever.

Isaiah spoke these words during the reign of King Ahaz—a time of fear and national instability. Judah feared the invading armies of the northern Kingdom of Israel and Syria. Instead of trusting God, Ahaz sent tribute to Assyria to save him, including gold and silver from the temple. Isaiah rebuked Ahaz for turning to Assyria instead of trusting in God and warned that Assyria would eventually threaten Judah, which they did.

Ahaz looked to human help and a foreign power rather than to God. But in the midst of that crisis, God promised not merely escape—but a Savior King. In Isaiah 7:14, he promised a child that would be born of a virgin who would be called Immanuel, meaning God with us. That prophecy seemed to have a present element, being partially fulfilled by Isaiah’s child, but ultimately a future element, as it would be fully fulfilled in the coming messiah who would be a blessing to the world.

From this prophetic text of Isaiah 9:6-7, we learn more about this child who would be born of a virgin and called Immanuel, God with us. As we consider these prophecies, we learn several reasons we celebrate Christ on Christmas and have hope for the future, regardless of our circumstances.

The Child Would Be a Gift to the World

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” There are many wonderful truths that arise from this. Typically, a child is given to a family, to a mom and dad. But this child would be given to “us” (Israel and ultimately all humanity). This child who would be a light, that would take away all distress and darkness. He was not only given to Mary and Joseph but to “us. ” He would give hope to Israel, who was, at the time of the prophecy, in international conflicts, and he would give hope to the world!

We worship him because he is a gift to us and the world.

The Child Would Be Human and Divine

Again, Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Isaiah calls the messiah “a child” and “a son”. The word “child” speaks of his humanity. Jesus, as a human, would be born. He would enter the world as we do, except through a virgin. He would hunger, thirst, eat, sleep, be tempted, betrayed, and eventually die like us and for us. But the word “son” speaks of his deity. As the Son, he could be given by God to the world. He eternally existed before Jesus’ birth as the Son of God. Jesus still exists today as the “God-Man.” He is not only human, nor only divine. He is 100% both.

With that said, God could have sent a fully-grown man like Adam, or an angel, or Christ could have come in some other form. But God chose to send his Son as a helpless babe. This mystery demonstrates how God often works in our lives and throughout the world. God often demonstrates his great power in the midst of great weakness. This is seen in how he uses trials for our good, how he empowers us when we feel weak or unequipped for some work, and how he uses unsuspecting people in our lives to bless us. God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

God’s power is perfectly demonstrated in the incarnation. The Almighty God, who would save the world, came as a helpless baby. The all-knowing God grew in wisdom and stature as a child. We worship and celebrate Christ because he took on flesh for us, to sympathize with us and to die as our perfect sacrifice. As a man, he understands us and intercedes for us, but as God, he can give us grace in our time of need.

The Child Would Be a Godly King

Isaiah 9:6 continues, “and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6b) Here we see the mystery of much Old Testament prophecy. It often has a near and far element (i.e. like the Davidic covenant speaking of both Solomon building a temple and Christ, 2 Sam 7). Christ came as a child and suffering servant to die for the sins of the world 2000 years ago, and at his second coming, he will come as a king to reign and judge. At Christmas, we look back at Christ’s birth, and at the same time, await the return of Christ as king.

This would have particularly stood out to the Jews who heard this because of their history, in the united and divided kingdoms of Israel. Throughout their history and at the current time, they were largely being judged for the ungodliness of their kings and how they influenced the people. Altogether, there were 19 Northern kings who were all ungodly—worshiping idols and dishonoring god. The Southern kings were better. There were 20 Southern kings but only eight were righteous. The majority disobeyed God and worshiped idols like the kings of the North—ultimately, leading to judgment. Thus, the promise of a godly king would have stood out to them, especially as they were sitting under ungodly Ahaz, who would not trust God.

Many believe that when Christ called himself the “good shepherd” in John 10:11, he was calling himself the good king. The title shepherd was used of kings in the ancient Near East cf. 2 Sam 5:2, Ez 34:23). Unlike Saul who loved the applause of people over God; unlike David who committed adultery and murder; unlike Solomon who loved many women, worshiped idols, and abused his power, or even Ahaz who chose to trust in a future enemy instead of God; this child would be the perfect king—the perfect shepherd. Instead of using his authority for power or money, this good shepherd would lay his life down for the sheep. When Christ came, he declared, “I am the good shepherd, the good king, you have been waiting for.”

We also live in a time of bad leadership. Our leaders commonly misuse money and fatten themselves at the expense of others. The world is partly the way it is because of bad leadership in government, the church, and even in the home. But one day, the King who has come will come again and bring a righteous rule, not just in our hearts but the world. We worship him because he is the good, righteous King, we have been waiting for.

Next, Isaiah gives four titles for this King which also remind us of why we worship Christ during Christmas. We will quickly look at them.

The Child Would Be Called Wonderful Counselor

Some Bible translations separate “wonderful” and make it an individual title as seen in the KJV. In most translations, however, they combine the two names “Wonderful Counselor.” This is probably accurate because the other names also come in pairs. Wonderful means “supernatural or extraordinary.” There was nothing common about Jesus. He is wonderful and beyond our comprehension. As a Wonderful Counselor, he has supernatural wisdom to lead us personally and the world corporately. We worship him because he is a wise king, and though he is transcendent (he is above us), he is imminent, near us, and guides us in righteousness like a shepherd. James 1:5 tells us we can cry out to him any time for wisdom. James says if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives liberally. Christ is our Wonderful Counselor, and this will be more fully revealed as he rules the world as a wise king at his return.

We worship him because he is the Wonderful Counselor!

The Child Would Be Called Mighty God

This is a strong statement. Jesus is not just godlike. He is not a messenger of God. He is God. In the manger lay the one who would walk on water, calm storms, and defeat death. He is powerful to save. In Genesis 3:15, it was prophesied that he would crush the head of the serpent. In the cross, he did that, as he defeated Satan. In his resurrection, he defeated death, not just for himself but for all who put faith in him. First Corinthians 15:55-56 says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And one day, at his coming, he will defeat all who oppose him and persecute his people, and he will bring his kingdom, including a new heaven and a new earth. We worship Christ on Christmas because he is our Mighty God who delivers us personally, corporately, and cosmically. What is impossible with man is possible with God.

The Child Would Be Called Everlasting Father

Everlasting Father does not mean Christ is God the Father, but it does mean that he is eternal and that his rule will never end. It also means he rules personally, like a father, and not from a distance. He comforts, protects, and provides for us as gentle, loving father. Everlasting Father can also be translated Father of Eternity—this means he is the creator of all things, including time. Since Christ is eternal and the Father of it, he can confer eternal life to those who believe in him. In John 17:1-2, Christ prayed this to God the Father, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.” John 3:16 confirms this when it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

We worship Christ because he is the Everlasting Father and gives eternal life to all who ask him.

The Child Would Be Called Prince of Peace

The word peace here is more than the absence of conflict or violence but the presence of prosperity holistically. It is the Hebrew phrase, “Sar Shalom,” which literally means “the ruler who brings peace.” Christ came to bring peace between God and us, where before there was only enmity because of our sin. He brings peace within ourselves, as he seeks to deliver us from anxiety, worry, fear, and depression. He brings peace between people. In fact, Isaiah 9:5, the previous verse, said this: “Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.” This means when the messiah returns to rule, the equipment of our armies will no longer be needed because he will bring peace between people and nations. We worship him because he is the ruler who brings peace.

The Child Would Have an Increasing Reign

Isaiah 9:7 says, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

In Matthew 13:31-33, Jesus gave two parables about a mustard seed and yeast to describe his kingdom’s explosive growth. He said,

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.

History has shown these parables to be true. When Christ died, only 120 were following him, and now it is over 3 billion. It is the largest religion in the world. This kingdom is now a spiritual kingdom, which all who accept him as Lord are part of (cf. John 17:21); however, one day it will be a physical kingdom when Christ returns to rule the earth. His kingdom will topple all other kingdoms.

This reminds us that earthly leaders are here today but gone tomorrow. They make promises and then break them, and their leadership, unfortunately, often leads to further division. However, Christ’s kingdom will never decline; it will only increase. It continues to grow now in the hearts of people through the spread of the gospel, and one day he will rule visibly on the earth, as the promised Davidic king.

We worship and celebrate him because his kingdom has no end, and the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Heaven Armies, has promised to complete this (cf. Ps 2:7-12). Isaiah 9:7 says, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

Conclusion

Why do we celebrate Christmas? We celebrate because the answer to the darkness and gloom of this earth was given 2000 years ago in a child. Isaiah gave this prophecy 700 years before Jesus was born. What Judah waited for, we celebrate today: The Child has been born. The Son has been given. The King has come. And yet, his first coming reminds us to faithfully await, pray for, and usher in the fullness of his reign at his second coming.

So this Christmas, we honor him as:

• Our Wonderful Counselor when life is confusing.

• Our Mighty God when we are weak.

• Our Everlasting Father when we feel alone.

• Our Prince of Peace when our hearts are troubled.

As we celebrate Christmas, we remember his humble birth and sacrificial life but also look forward to his triumphant return as King. Lord, come! Lord, come! Amen!

Prayer Prompts

• Father, as Wonderful Counselor, we pray that you would reveal more of yourself to us and our families over the holidays, that you would teach us your wisdom through the Word and guide our families, churches, and nations to glorify you.

• Father, as Mighty God, we pray that you would deliver us from the evil one and all his tactics to frustrate God’s will for our lives and our families. We ask that you deliver us from or through every obstacle that stands in front of us.

• Father, as Prince of Peace, we ask that you would bring peace to our hearts and minds (delivering us from every anxiety and worry), that you would heal and reconcile our relationships, bring peace in our nation and between the nations of this world, and bring reconciliation between God and all people through faith in Jesus Christ, as Lord.

• Father, as King, we pray that you would guide our communities and nations in righteousness through your delegated leaders (save them, protect them, and give them wisdom), and we pray that you would ultimately return and bring eternal righteousness on the earth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.