Messiah, Chorus: For Unto Us a Child is Given

Listen: (4:05
)

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5)

Reflection: If yesterday's aria was a slow sunrise, today's chorus is the full light of dawn. From minor to major, slow to fast, longing to fulfillment. Like many big changes in history, it seems to happen ever so gradually, and then all at once. 

As I mentioned yesterday, Isaiah 9 is from the 8th century BC in Jerusalem, and it seems to hail the birth of a new heir to the throne of Judah, named in honor of God, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The residents of Jerusalem look forward to the leadership of a new, faithful generation. 

But for nearly the whole history of Christianity, believers have also seen this prophecy as a case of history repeating itself: while the original writing may have referred to a prince in the 8th century BC, we hear these words and think of the birth of Jesus, our Prince of Peace. His reign comes not as a military conquest but as a community of welcome and healing for those in desperate need, and a word of warning to those who trust in earthly power. Our Counselor is wonderful because he reminds us to live in grace and mercy. Our God shows might by becoming weak--a baby--for us. Our Father is Everlasting because his reign exists not just in one country during one Monarch's life, but in every life that trusts in God's way of peace, forgiveness and love. 

A year ago, I was just preparing to return to work after the birth of Lars, our fourth child. It's an amazing thing, to hold a newborn in your arms and see limitless potential. But it's a different kind of miracle, a year later, to see the look in his eyes when he's doing something he knows isn't right--pulling his brother's hair or trying to crawl into the fridge for the hundredth time--and he begins to learn from mistakes. We sometimes celebrate the newness of a child without remembering how difficult it can be, for them and for us, to learn from mistakes and grow in love. 

Unto us a child is given. Let us embrace the bumpy road, the learning curve, the grace and peace that will abound from this point on. 

Prayer: God, thank you for coming to us, again and again, and especially in the Christ Child. Help us to continue to learn from him, and live in his reign of love. Amen. 

Discussion Questions:

1) We call Jesus a "King," but how is reign, and his leadership, different from any earthly government? 

2) Whether or not we are parents, there is an awful lot we can learn from interacting with young children. What have children taught you?