Christmas morning. Wrapping paper was scattered throughout the room, coffee was in each hand and we were just about to stand up and get ready for other family members to show up, but right before anyone could move, my sister said she had one more gift to give. Handing my dad a small white box with a bow, we all watched with confusion. She seemed overly excited about what honestly looked to be an underwhelming gift. The mood shifted solely based on her anticipation. If it weren’t for her emotions, I’m confident we would have just moved on and not watched him open the gift. I’m glad we stayed.
He opened the box and stared, shocked, at a small, square photograph. It was a sonogram.
Since then, more of my siblings and friends have shared that same announcement with me, and every time, it’s the best type of interruption. The announcement of life in the middle of the mundane. I’ve been driving, cleaning and traveling, and each time I stop with the same anticipation and joy. It never gets old, but one birth announcement goes above all others, and it’s found in Isaiah.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 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.” (Isaiah 9:1,6)
It was definitely an interruption. Assyria was a powerhouse threat coming their way, and the Israelites were uncertain of their future. God, in his mercy, gave them something else to hold onto besides fear in the middle of darkness. Instead of anticipating the arrival of Assyria, God offered them the anticipation of Jesus. Sure, the Assyrians were heading in their direction, but so was the Son of God: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. A son is given.
It was centuries between the prophecy and the birth of Jesus. They waited, and they waited a long time. But an announcement like that is worth waiting on, and every word has come true. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Immanuel, Ruler, Righteous Branch and King. Every word in the Old Testament that mentioned Jesus was fulfilled. God is faithful, and God is true. Now, centuries have passed since the birth of Jesus, and his Church is waiting.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
God was faithful to fulfill the words of Isaiah, and he will be faithful to fulfill the ones in Revelation, too. This Christmas, we celebrate with a hope that moves us from the manager to the throne room. God is doing immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine, and every prophecy of Jesus fulfilled is an example. Celebrate, rejoice, and be confident in Christ, and then go and tell the world that the baby in the manager is more than they anticipated, immeasurably more. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.