Christmas Eve

A Predictable Christmas

December 24, 2022

Isaiah 9:1-7

We live in a world filled with constant change. When we watch the news, we see the changes taking place, but who hasn’t been watching the weather the past few days. Sometimes, it’s nice not to have any change. Sometimes we need to hear what’s predicted and what we believe is true.

We’ve all experienced good and bad this year, but right now, we need to hear what’s good and steady and constant. One of the great statements from God is the fact that His love is everlasting and steadfast. That’s great news. News we need to always hold onto.

Every Christmas Eve I basically preach the same sermon. I mean, it’s new every year, but you really know what I’m kind of going to say. There’s no shocking new story tonight.

But maybe that’s a good thing too.

Because when we hear the scripture tonight, which is a traditional one about the prediction of Jesus’ birth - - - I want you to hear this passage like it’s the first time you’re ever hearing it, but at the same time to know and trust that this is a never changing truth as well.

In chapter 9, the prophet Isaiah wrote - - -

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has light shone.

3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

Now, admittedly, this sounds kind of like an up and down scripture. It starts that the people are in darkness. Yet we see how there’s joy, like at harvest time, that God defeated their enemy. In a sense He broke the backs of their oppressor.

Then we get a war image. Boots, blood, warriors, battle, fire and tumult. That doesn’t sound all too Christmasy. Talk of war and destruction. A time of angst and confusion. But Isaiah’s building up to the key passages. But to get there, we need to see that there were problems in the world.

We needed someone to come and save us. Someone who could redeem us and be our light and show us the way back. Now listen to what Isaiah tells us - - -

6 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.

7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.

The predictable part of this passage is that people need God. But imagine hearing this for the first time!! Can you imagine the hope it would give you. Now --- we kind of yawn and think, yup, I’ve heard that one before. But the point from Isaiah is that everybody needs God.

Isaiah was writing in a time where people had turned their backs on God. The northern kingdom of Israel had been captured by the Assyrians and the southern kingdom of Judah was under attack.

The people turned their backs on God to worship false gods, to worship idols. They thought they could do it all on their own, they didn’t need God.

But Isaiah’s pretty serious here. But what’s really cool and it’s so easy to miss . . . is this . . . Isaiah is writing in the past tense. It’s as if this is how you were, but not anymore. Think about verse 2 - - -

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them a light has light shone.

It’s past tense! That’s the past and the new reality is that a light is now shining on them. They’ve seen the light and the light was and is Jesus. There will be no more gloom. They were living in darkness because they had turned away from God.

It’s relevant to us today, because most of us go on our happy go lucky way, and we hope for God to bless us, maybe we can wear our lucky socks to the interview, or flip that coin enough and we’ll eventually win. Hold onto that rabbits foot. But that only keeps us in darkness. The people back then were just as superstitious as we are today.