A Child is born

For 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, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  – Isaiah 9v6

I wish it was closer to Christmas as we come across the passage. When I read this passage I hear the chorus from Handel’s Messiah ringing out. ‘For unto us (for unto us) a Child is born – a Son is given (a Son is given)…’ The amazing classic has sadly become mostly associated with Christmas though the message is one we need to keep in mind year round.

I have what might just be a kind of side note from this passage today. I don’t know how if I can build any theology on it, but I think it is an interesting aspect.

‘For unto us a Child is born…’

Notice that – a Child. Of all the methods God could have used to present His message and bring His salvation He chose a Child. He chose a tiny little weak baby to do this most important work of all.

We have dear friends who had their first child just a week ago. She is tiny and precious and frail and weak. Nobody outside of our immediate circle thinks much about little Elizabeth as she begins the first stages of life in a home not too far away. She is totally dependent on her parents. She has no strength of her own.

The Saviour of mankind entered earth the same way. Without all the modern technology, without a hospital, without trained medical staff, and with no one there but His earthly parents and a bunch of stabled animals a Child was born. Who could have known what God had in store for that Child?

Obviously, no child today is growing to grow up to be the Saviour of the world. But who knows what that child we have in Sunday School or Bible club or Holiday Bible Club might one day be? D.L. Moody and Suzanna Wesley and Charles Spurgeon and Adoniram Judson and Isobel Kuhn and so many unnamed servants of God were all children one day. Every godly parent doing their best to raise their children for the glory of God were children one day.

No wonder Jesus said ‘Let the little children come to Me, don’t keep them away.’

Sunday School and other children’s ministries are not just ‘tack ons’ to our service. The next time you see a group of children remember the words ‘For unto us a Child is born.’