“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan-
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” [Isaiah 9:1-7]
In many Christmas church meetings, this prophetic passage is read out. Written around 750 BC, it foretells of a child, a son, who is to be born and is to be given for the world. He will be a great light; he will come to Galilee. He will be a source of great joy, like the joy of being alive.
He will overcome the burden of oppressors and ultimately bring peace, once he comes to reign over all the earth. He will reign as not only the rightful King of Israel but also King over all the Earth. He will uphold his Kingdom with justice and righteousness.
The Lord Almighty will do this, and he will do it because He is determined to.
Those who do not want the reign of Christ, those who do not want peace, those who prefer darkness to light, attack Christmas with its joy, its peace and its hope. Their message is pain, war and despair.
So, they bomb churches, gun down innocent families, shoot people shopping in their Christmas markets, people who welcomed them into their countries.
The good news this Christmas is that those do these things have only one thing to look forward to – their utter failure. It is people of goodwill who wish peace to all who recognise that God has goodwill to all also.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” This child is none other than God incarnate.
Merry Christmas to all our readers and viewers. May you and your families be blessed by the living God of love this Christmas and always.
Graham Ford
President – Jesus Christ for Muslims