To Us A Child Is Born

"The people who walk in darkness

have seen a great light.

A light has dawned

on those who live in the land of the shadow of death.

YOU have enlarged the nation;

YOU have increased their joy.

They rejoice before YOU,

as people rejoice at harvest time

as they rejoice in dividing the spoil.

For the yoke of their burden,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressors,

YOU have broken it as on the day of Midian.

Every warrior's boot that tramped in war,

every cloak rolled in blood,

will be thrown out for burning,

will serve as fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us,

a son is given us;

the royal ornament is laid upon HIS shoulder,

and HIS name is proclaimed:

'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD,

Everlasting FATHER, Prince of Peace.'

To the increase of HIS powerful rule

in peace, there will be no end.

Vast will be HIS dominion,

HE will reign on David's throne

and over all his kingdom,

to establish and uphold it

with justice and righteousness

from this time onward and forever.

The zealous love of YAHWEH Sabaoth will do this."

- Isaiah 9:1-6

(The people who walk in darkness...  The Gospel [Matthew 4:16] sees in that people the crowds whom JESUS addresses:

- a people dominated by every kind of oppressors;

- a people seeking light and without hope.

A child is born: in growing up HE will lose nothing of HIS child-like qualities but will do away with the pride of nations.

Without doubt this child is the one named Emmanuel in 7:15. Here again, HIS name signifies what GOD will do through HIM.  Through HIM GOD will be revealed as "Wonderful Counselor" which means HE whose "counsel," whose plans are marvelously wise.  GOD "FATHER" as HE was for David, "Strong GOD" as HE was for Jacob.  The "Prince of Peace," HE is still GOD, but HE will be so in giving the victory to HIS king, HIS "messiah," as HE did for David.

As was already the case for Emmanuel, GOD-with-us, these appellations which seem at first said for GOD could be equally applied to the future king who will be "HIS" king, which usually expressed with the word Messiah.  In any case it prophetically announces what in fact would happen: GOD HIMSELF will come in the person of JESUS.)

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