“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6
This verse is perhaps well known at Christmas because it is used in the lyrics of Handel’s Messiah.
The verse divides into two parts. It tells of a Child who is born – Jesus who was begotten of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary. The first part of the verse tells of His humanity. But as Jesus Christ is God’s Son, He is said to be given, as He existed eternally and is the creator of all things. The second part of the verse tells us of His deity. The apostle Paul was the greatest theologian of the New Testament. As he pondered the mystery of the Child born and the Son given at Bethlehem, he said:
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh”. 1 Timothy 3:16
Although it may not have taken place on 25th December, it is a fact that that the Son of God became man, was born at Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. But the verse becomes very personal, for Isaiah says that the Child is born unto US – the people of Bishopton, Dargavel, Langbank, Linburn and Erskine.
And so the questions we all need to ask at Christmas 2019 are: Is this Child born to us? Is He given to us? Have we a personal interest in the child that was born at Bethlehem? Do we know that he is our Saviour? Do we rejoice in the glad tidings He has brought to us? Does He belong to us? Do we belong to Him?
These are not questions to be discussed and debated around the Christmas dinner table. These are personal questions that each individual must answer for themselves. There was a man called Simeon who held the baby Jesus in his arms shortly after his birth. Simeon settled these questions in his own mind and said:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation” Luke 29:30
The real test of all our beliefs, ideas and notions is how they will stand up when we have to depart from this world in death. Simeon believed that the Child who was born and the Son who was given was his Saviour and so was filled with peace at the thought of leaving this world and going to meet God.
We wish you all a Happy Christmas and ask you to take time to consider these important questions.