CHRISTMAS MESSAGE BY BISHOP JOHN K. LOUIS
ST. BAKHITA CHURCH NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS SERVICE
SUNDAY, 22ND DECEMBER, 2024
THEME: “FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN” (ISAIAH 9:6)
OUTLINE
- Introduction
- Isaiah’s Prophecy
- Fulfillment of the Prophecy in Jesus
- Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
The theme for this Christmas message, “For unto us a child is born”, is taken from a prophecy of Isaiah which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This, in turn, inspired an amazing song by the great German-born English composer, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759).
At the end of this message, I would like all the choirs to jointly sing this song from Handel’s Messiah.
1.0 ISAIAH’S PROPHECY
At a time when the northern kingdom of Israel had been conquered and the southern kingdom (Judah) was under threats, Isaiah prophesied that a child, specifically, a son, from the line of King David would be born to save his people:
“6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.” (Isa. 9:6-7b)
- Mighty God: King David was the ideal king and powerful warrior of Israel. Yet, in the prophecy of Isaiah, God was promising somebody greater than David. That is, the “child to be born”, though a descendant of David, would be more awesome in power. He is called “Mighty God”, because he would rule with the very power of God. And so, he would conquer all the enemies of Israel and Judah.
- Wonderful Counselor: King Ahaz of Judah, during whose reign Isaiah prophesied, had been led astray by his advisers. On the contrary, the future king would be endowed with great wisdom – even more than King Solomon’s – so that he would not need human advisers.
- Everlasting Father: The future king would not only be very powerful and excel in wisdom, but he would be fatherly to his subjects like the Everlasting God. He would be concerned about their needs and make adequate provisions for them.
- Prince of Peace: God the Father is the King of Peace. The future king, as the son of God, would be the Prince of Peace. He would bring peace to Israel, because externally, he would be powerful to defeat all their enemies. Then, internally, his great wisdom would ensure that justice and truth prevail among his subjects, while his fatherly love would ensure that they were adequately provided for.
2.0 FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY IN JESUS
The above prophecy of Isaiah was not perfectly fulfilled until the birth of Jesus Christ about 700 years later. Jesus was the Child born unto us, the Son given us, the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
2.1 Wonderful Counselor: Jesus is, indeed, the Wonderful Counselor, for He is wiser than King Solomon. Thus, He once told the Jews: “The queen of the South … came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!” (Luke 11:31).
2.2 Mighty God: Jesus is the One who reigns with the very Mighty power of God, for the Gospel of John testifies that: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:1-4). In other words, Jesus is, in the words of the Nicene Creed, “God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God”.
2.3 Everlasting Father: Jesus and the Everlasting Father are one. So, He testifies: “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). As Jesus is the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:1-18) like His Father who selflessly loves, cares, provides and protects us like His flock (cf. Psalm 23), so He is fatherly like His Father.
2.4 Prince of Peace: Jesus is the Prince of Peace who gives us true peace not as the world gives peace. Thus, He assures us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Such true peace is the “peace of God” (Phil. 4:7) which cannot be provided by any human intelligence, system, technology or military might.
This is obvious in the history of humanity. Despite our advancements in the last century, peace has eluded us. In fact, recent advancements rather make us more uneasy about the future of humanity. The peace of God which is beyond our comprehension and capacity to achieve, Jesus provides for us. Hence, St. Paul asserts: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
CONCLUSION
Jesus is the Son given to us by the Heavenly Father, the Child born unto us by Mother Mary, to save us with His almighty power, to guide us by His divine wisdom, to care for us like the Everlasting Father, and to bring us to heaven, the place of perfect peace.
Therefore, let us celebrate His birth this Christmas not only joyfully but with a greater sense of gratitude to Him, His Father, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary and St. Joseph, His foster father. As we do so, may we be blessed with the grace of steadfast faith in Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace!
Finally, I wish you all, a merry Christmas, while I ask the Mass Choir to sing from Handel’s Messiah, “For unto us a child is born”.
Thank you.
