Christmas day is almost here. Of course, as Christians, we reflect on and celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. As many of you know, I like the idea of reflection. I think God designed it as a very beneficial tool for our spiritual lives. This month, I want us to reflect on this question: what if Isaiah was at the manger?

Isaiah is probably the most well known of the biblical prophets. Scholars call the book of Isaiah “the 5 th gospel” because it contains so many prophecies about the coming Messiah and King, Jesus Christ. The most famous of these texts is Isaiah 52:13-53:12 which speaks with incredible detail about the person and redeeming work of Jesus Christ as our Savior. However, there are three other texts even more relevant at Christmas time: 7:14, 9:6-7 and 11:1-10. Let’s reflect on 7:14 and 9:6-7 today.

Is. 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [which means God with us].”

Is. 9:6-7 says, “for to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of this increase in his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time and forevermore.”

God spoke these words of prophetic truth through Isaiah over 700 years before Jesus was born in the manger of the Christmas story. In comparison, 700 years before 2025 would be around 1300ad. Wow. Imagine if Isaiah could have come back to earth and been there to see his prophecy finally come true! What emotions would be stirring in his heart? What thoughts would be flooding his mind? What would he say to Mary, Joseph and the others who were there? What worship toward God would we witness from this man of God?

Enjoy using some of your “sanctified imagination” and reflect on that scene this Christmas season. And I ask you, “What emotions, thoughts, words and worship does the fulfillment of this 700 year old prophecy, that came true over 2000 years ago from today, produce in you?” Merry Christmas church family.