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Isaiah 9:2-7

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 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. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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. Of the greatness 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.

By: The Rev. Craig Stephans

The world has turned upside down when any child has the connotation of being a mistake, a burden, an embarrassment, or just a mass of cells and flesh. The coming of Jesus begins setting things aright. The Scripture shows how Jesus has redeemed the sanctity of the life of every child conceived in this world. In prophesying about Jesus, Isaiah celebrates the birth of a child-the weakest and most vulnerable of creatures. This child is named “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.” Jesus becomes representative of every child as he enters the world in this small package of flesh and bones.

This is the Lord. He is the Lord of heaven and earth who will bring “endless peace,” justice and righteousness. All of this goodness comes from a little child. At Jesus’ birth, the heavens opened and the glory of God was revealed in the world. A host of heavenly angels appeared to the shepherds proclaiming songs of great joy and good news. The reason? “A child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” Since the conception and birth of Jesus, no excuse exists for applying any derogatory or minimizing connotations to a baby in the womb or to a young child. On the day that He was conceived, Jesus was Son of God; on the day he was born, Jesus was “a Savior.” Therefore, the connotation we should apply to a child within or outside the womb is the image of Jesus. We should not treat the gift of life otherwise. It is the “grace of God” appearing in the world.