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.
6 For 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.
CHRISTMAS DAY
25 DECEMBER 2003
ISAIAH 9:2-7
SALEM EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, MILWAUKEE, WI
JOHN L. HOH, JR.
Dear fellow Redeemed, brothers and sisters of the baby in Bethlehem's manger:
When we have children, we usually have hopes and dreams for them. Sometimes in jest I'll say that Matthew will one day work for the IRS because his Apostolic namesake was a tax collector. An uncle of mine wished his son to be a doctor or lawyer pulling down big bucks so that he could retire early and play golf. My cousin is working an everyday job just like most of us. Maybe we dream of glory for our children-an integral part of our favorite team's future glory, perhaps, or a doctor finding cures for cancer and other diseases or maybe even a son or daughter becoming president of the United States!
Regardless of what our hopes are, in the end our children will be who they are, what God created them to be, and they will pursue careers and goals based on their talents, skills, and what they enjoy doing.
But in Bethlehem was born a baby whose purpose was known from of old, from before the creation of the world even! That baby in Bethlehem's manger would one day die on the cross to pay for our sins. But he would be and do more than that. This child is our Savior, Christ the Lord. Behold, a Child Born of a Virgin is Born of a Promise. This Child Liberates Us. This Child Rules in Our Hearts.
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