Christmas 2024: December 10

After sin entered the world, "and death through sin, and death spread to all men because all sinned" (Rom 5:12), God revealed even in His righteous judgment that He is merciful and gracious. He gave hope in a Redeemer - one who'd come to crush the serpent's head (Gen 3:15). Even so, Adam and Eve could not have begun to imagine the extent of death and suffering in the world until the promised Child would come. In fact, when Eve conceived and gave birth to her firstborn, she declared, "I have gotten a man-child with the help of the LORD" (4:1). Cain's very name, meaning "acquired one," indicates Eve's belief that Cain was actually the seed of the promise. Adam and Even must have been mortified to see Cain's rebellious spirit, eventually culminating in the murder of his own brother Abel. The Promised Child of Gen 3:14 wouldn't come for another 4,000 years. By then, the world should certainly understand the horrible cost of sin, and the joy of heaven to see Him finally come would be unparalleled.

That is the setting for today's passage of Scripture, as well as our hymn, "He is Born, the Divine Christ Child," written in France in the mid-19th century. The song intends to convey the overwhelming excitement that should accompany the coming of the Divine Christ Child, as the prophets foretold so many years before. That joy is made only more exuberant against the backdrop of Israel's state of desolation due to God's judgment (cf. Isa 6:11-12), but that is just why Christ came: to bring peace between God and sinful men.

Even though Israel did not receive Him with joy or understand His message as they should have (Isa 6:9-10), those who have been granted ears to hear (Matt 13:9) receive Him as God's gracious gift to mankind. "Four thousand years and more have we waited this happy hour... let all sing His nativity!"

It had been about 3,700 years since God had first given the promise of a child, and from the time of Isaiah's prophesy, there was still another 300 to go until He would finally be born at the pivotal moment in history. At the time, though, it wasn't easy to see from a human perspective how the kingdom of Judah would survive that long. Invasion was imminent, and King Ahaz, Judah's leader, lacked faith. It was then that God spoke to Ahaz (note: Ahaz didn't initiate a conversation with God), and told him to ask for a sign that God would protect His people and prove His faithfulness. Ahaz had his own way, however. He was already seeking plans to receive help from Assyria, and his rejection of God's offer demonstrated his own lack of faith. His failed attempt to cover his fear with false piety, "I will not put the Lord to the test," was uncovered by the LORD.

"Immanuel" would be born, meaning "God with us." What could be more encouraging when invasion is imminent? A child born to a virgin would be proof of God's power and that He has not abandoned His people. Thus, the prophesy of Isaiah 7 was fulfilled in Ahaz' day, and Judah was spared, but of course, God's prophesy ultimately looked beyond that immediate fulfillment to the birth of Christ (Matt 1:22-23). What could be more encouraging for God's people today than to know He is with us? Despite human unbelief, "He is born, the divine Christ Child." His birth and presence with us demonstrate God's commitment to give salvation to His people and establish His kingdom.

The question is, "Will we respond in unbelieve to the Lord's grace like Ahaz? Or in faith, will we receive His presence with joy?"