Unto Us A Child Is Born,
Unto Us A Son Is Given

December 2024

Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” God the Father sent His Son, His only and well beloved Son to this world, to us. He was not just given to one race, the Jews, but to all peoples of the world to be the Savior of the world. It was a mission of mercy to save lost sinners.

The Father knew that His Son would be rejected, mocked, beaten, scourged, and nailed to the cross. He would suffer at the very hands of those He created and loved. Our Savior knew in eternity past what He would go through to save us and still He came to seek and to save that which is lost. He came as a Child to us and as a Son given to us.

The name Emmanuel means “God with us.” Just think Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came down to earth to become the Son of Man in order to bring many sons to glory. He lived among us, walked among us and suffered among us. He gave His life on the cross bearing our sins to set us free from sin; He died in order to conquer death, and He rose again to give us eternal life. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought it would become what it is today? When Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today?

It is a long time since 1832, and longer still from that dark night brightened by a special star in which Jesus the King was born. Yet, as we approach December 25 again, it gives us another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all the excitement and elaborate decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas today, to consider again the event of Christmas and the Person whose birth we celebrate. Let us never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season.

In Matthew 1:21 the angel says, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” He was born to the Virgin Mary, but He was also born to us. He was given to the Jews but He was also given to us. Will you give Him the gift of your heart? Will you accept Him as your Lord and Savior?