Has It Made A Difference?

The reading for Christmas Eve, from Isaiah 9:1-7, has been a favorite of mine and many for years.  It is a promise that only God can make, to a people in terrible darkness — terrible fear.  The promise is one of hope!  Relief from threats and oppressive leadership!  It is a wonderful word to hear on the eve of Jesus’ birth.  

Because that promise was realized at Jesus birth!

6 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Only the Prophet Isaiah is not actually talking about Jesus.  Isaiah was dealing with the serious situations of his day.  Kings who had, according to God, evil intentions; Who wanted to take over the people of Israel.  The people were in great fear of losing their personal and religious freedom.  So at one particular point in the mess, a pregnant woman was in the crowd.  Isaiah pointed to her and said: “before the baby she is carrying “knows good from evil” the tread of the king will have pasted (Is. 7:14-17) 

You see, the promise of a new born, in the face of such terrible threats, seemed a bit lame.  And apparently wasn’t too impressive. 

But God prompted Isaiah to use the very same example again in the next chapter as well.  This time the child would be born to the prophet himself (8:4).  

Again, it did not bring a whole lot of hope to this direr situation. 

At this point I am imagining that the people were wondering: what in the world do we need with another baby in this messed up awful world we live in?  We need God to come with a mighty force and kick that king out into another world.  We need God to come with a new Moses and lead us out of this Egypt we now face.  What they wanted was a Goliath!   Someone big and strong! 

Yet, in chapter 9,  the promise comes again!  “a child has been born for us, a son given to us.” (9:6) The yoke of their burden will be broken, and all the garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire…. This child will be: “Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…He will establish and uphold it with justice…the LORD of host will do this.”(Isaiah 9:4-7)

Yet again it made no difference!

No matter how many prophets God sent, to solve the problems of human egos, it never seem to work out.  People just kept pushing and shoving and ignoring God.  And, it was quit easy to do!  It was easy, since God really wasn’t right there in front of them.  It wasn’t difficult to ignore God!  

Besides, they like the way they were.  Pushing and shoving and bullying their way though life worked!  And if it works, it don't need fixing!  The truth is!  If God would just leave them alone, they would do just fine.  And those that didn’t like it!  Well, they could just jump high and get over it!

So, years later, I’m not at all sure how long, a baby was again promised. But this time it was not  announced to the broken world, in a public way. Not by a prophet standing in the city courtyard!  But by an angel that came to a young girl name Mary.  

Now God was going to do a new thing!  Do his warning and teaching another way!  

He no longer would rule from heaven above.  That was not working out so well.  His crazy human creatures did not listen, with God up above. 

They weren’t really all that good with invisible!  

God decided that they needed someone physically with them.  Someone who could get nose to nose with them.  Someone who could slap them around if they needed it.  In loving way of course!

So God changed the plan and became proactive.  He would actually come to earth personally to do what was needed.  In person!

He came in the flesh of a baby born in a private stable.  The only announcement was by a choir of angels, singing the good news, to a few tired shepherds in the middle of the night.

That was over 2000 years ago.

Has it made a difference?  Do we know good from evil?

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 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. 4 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. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 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 forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.(Is. 9:2-7)