For Unto Us
There are a lot of one-liners that go along with the Christmas season, we see them on banners and displays, and if we are not careful, they simply slide by without us giving them a lot of thought. Such is the phrase given above, one that Christians are familiar with, read each year from the prophesies of Isaiah. At first glance, it would appear, that the statement is saying the same thing, just saying it in two different ways. But that is not the case, they are two very distinct and separate statements that add to the wonder of the Christmas story.
Let’s note something here, the Son is not born, He is given. It is a child that is born, a child that had never existed before being conceived in Virgin Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit. Where, on the other hand, the Son has existed for ever.
The Apostle’s John and Paul tell us that the world was made through the Son, that by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, all things visible and invisible (John 1:10, Colossians 1:15-16). The Son is before all things, He is the one who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).
This one, humbled Himself, and then emptied Himself of divine prerogative and privilege, that He may dwell in the helpless body of a newborn baby boy (Philippians 2:5-8).
The human little boy, the Child which was born, came into being at conception, went through a nine-month gestation, was then born, and like all other little boys, learned to crawl, walk and run, talk, read, and write, learned a trade and earned a living. This human, Jesus, was subject to pain, cold, weariness, hunger, and ultimately death, even death on a cross.
The Incarnation, God becoming man, is cloaked with mystery and filled with wonder. Jesus is perfect man for God and at the same time perfect God for man. An intercessor who is touched with our infirmities, because He has walked a mile in our shoes, so that He may become our merciful and faithful High Priest.
During this blessed season, set some time aside and contemplate the wonder of it all. Start at the stable, where you will see the Creator of the cosmos, clothed in human flesh, this is your Savior, Christ the Lord.