A Child Is Born – Isaiah 9:6a

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;”

In December, the time when many in the world chose to celebrate the birth of Christ, this verse is seen in cards and on banners.  It receives sufficient publicity that it is sometimes known by those who rarely attend church, or do not read a Bible at all.  But to know the words without knowing the author is to miss out on so much.  The phrases above are just the beginning of that great verse in Isaiah that tells us of the coming Messiah.  The entire verse reviews the first coming of Christ for the salvation of sinners, and encompasses the second coming of Christ to establish the Kingdom His Father has given Him. 

Let us delve deeper into these two short opening phrases to see what treasure awaits in God’s Word.  While the two phrases emphasize the same wonderful gift to the world, there is an important distinction between them. 

First, “a Child is born.”  Yes, we of faith know that Jesus Christ was born into this world.  Even outside our faith, it is an undisputed historical fact that Jesus lived and walked the earth.  He was a child, and grew to be a man before His life was given for us.  This speaks of the humanity of Jesus Christ, something we can mostly comprehend.  “What amazing mystery! There is nothing more weak, more helpless, more dependent than a child. Theoretically, the Messiah could have come as a fully grown man, created as an adult even as Adam was created. But for Jesus to fully identify with humanity, and to display in His life the servant nature that is in God,” “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)” (David Guzik)

Secondly, “a Son is given.”  This speaks of the divine nature of Jesus Christ.  He was not created but was begotten of God the Father as a gift to this world.  This divinity of Jesus Christ is not as readily understood.  “As Jesus Christ is God's Son, he is not born; but given, begotten of his Father from before all worlds, begotten—not made, being of the same substance with the Father. The doctrine of the eternal affiliation of Christ is to be received as an undoubted truth of our holy religion. But as to any explanation of it, no man should venture thereon, for it remaineth among the deep things of God—one of those solemn mysteries indeed, into which the angels dare not look, nor do they desire to pry into it—a mystery which we must not attempt to fathom, for it is utterly beyond the grasp of any finite being. As well might a gnat seek to drink in the ocean, as a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God. A God whom we could understand would be no God. If we could grasp him he could not be infinite: if we could understand him, then were he not divine. Jesus Christ then, I say, as a Son, is not born to us, but given. He was not born in this world as God's Son, but he was sent, or was given, so that you clearly perceive that the distinction is a suggestive one, and conveys much good truth to us.”  (Charles Spurgeon)  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Lastly, “unto us.”  In the Child born and the Son given, the human and divine nature of Jesus Christ is revealed.  Now we consider who is encompassed in that little word “us.”  We know from John 3:16 that God gave His Son because he so deeply loves the entire world.  But we also know from that same John 3:16 that there is a subset of the world that will believe in the Son.  There is a subset of the world that will have everlasting life.  That subset is “us.”

This Christmas, or whenever you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, consider and confirm whether you are included in the “us.”  Was the Child born unto you?  Was the Son given to you?  “If this child who now lies before the eyes of your faith, wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem's manger, is born to you, my hearer, then you are born again! For this child is not born to you unless you are born to this child.”  (Charles Spurgeon)

Whether you are born again is something you must make certain.  “If any man tells me that Christ is his Redeemer, although he has never experienced regeneration, that man utters what he does not know; his religion is vain, and his hope is a delusion. Only men who are born again can claim the babe in Bethlehem as being theirs. "But" saith one, "how am I to know whether I am born again or not?"” (Charles Spurgeon)

While such a confirmation is most personal and should bear much prayer and study, here are a few telling points to consider. 

A change within – “Has there been a change effected by divine grace within you? Are your loves the very opposite of what they were? Do you now hate the vain things you once admired, and do you seek after that precious pearl which you at one time despised?” (Charles Spurgeon)

A change without – “Has there been a change in you in the exterior? Do you think that others who look at you would be compelled to say, this man is not what he used to be? Do not your companions observe a change? Have they not laughed at you for what they think to be your hypocrisy, your puritanism, your sternness? Do you think now that if an angel should follow you into your secret life, should track you to your closet and see you on your knees, that he would detect something in you which he could never have seen before? For, mark, my dear hearer, there must be a change in the outward life, or else there is no change within. In vain you bring me to the tree, and say that the tree's nature is changed. If I still see it bringing forth wild grapes, it is a wild vine still.” (Charles Spurgeon)

For whom do you live? – “The very root and principle of thy life must become totally new. When we are in sin we live to self, but when we are renewed we live to God. While we are unregenerate, our principle is to seek our own pleasure, our own advancement; but that man is not truly born again who does not live with a far different aim from this. Change a man's principles, and you change his feelings, you change his actions. Now, grace changes the principles of man. It lays the axe at the root of the tree. It does not saw away at some big limb it does not try to alter the sap; but it gives a new root.” (Charles Spurgeon)

My dear friend, in this season of what many in the world flippantly call Christmas, make sure you can celebrate as a member of the family of God.  End any doubt now and surrender to the Son who was given.  Receive the adoption into the family of Christ and the privilege to call God Almighty ‘Abba Father.’  It is when that Child is born unto you and you unto Him that the celebration of Christmas brings unspeakable joy.  It is when the Son is given unto you and you accept that gift that you can have peace in a personal relationship with God Almighty.  It is then that the above scripture takes on a deeper meaning and the words of the angel to the shepherds also speak to you individually. “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.””  (Luke 2:10-11)

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  (Luke 2:14)  And may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.