The Promised Child

The incarnation is not merely a historical event but the fulfillment of God’s eternal decree, where the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—works in perfect harmony to redeem His people. 

The Old Testament prophecies shimmer with divine promise, pointing unerringly to the Messiah who would come to crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15) and establish an everlasting kingdom. 

Consider Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” 

This foretells the miraculous virgin birth, where God Himself enters humanity to dwell among us, bridging the chasm of sin through sovereign election and irresistible grace.

Echoing this, Micah 5:2 proclaims: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” 

Here, God’s plan unfolds from an unlikely village, underscoring His choice of the humble to confound the mighty, much like His election of sinners for salvation not based on merit but on His unchanging will.

Yet, perhaps no prophecy captures the majesty of Christ’s birth more profoundly than Isaiah 9:6-7: “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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” 

This child is none other than the eternal Son of God, incarnate to fulfill the covenant of grace. 

He is not a mere human king but the divine Sovereign whose rule extends over all creation, securing total redemption for His people through His life, death, and resurrection.

John Calvin, in his commentary on this passage, beautifully expounds its Christ-centered depth: “He describes a child that was afterwards to be born… In Christ are hidden the invaluable treasures of wonderful things… We must meet with the majesty of God in him.”  

Calvin reminds us that these titles reveal Christ’s deity and His role as the Mediator, far surpassing any earthly figure like Hezekiah, and pointing to the eternal, unchangeable government that only God incarnate could establish.

Reflection: 

In light of these prophecies fulfilled in Christ’s birth, believers are called to live with profound assurance in God’s sovereignty. 

Knowing that the Prince of Peace has come to rule our hearts eternally, we must surrender daily to His government—repenting of self-reliance and resting in His grace alone for salvation. 

This means pursuing justice and righteousness in our lives, families, and communities, not out of legalistic effort but as fruits of the Spirit’s work within us. 

Amid the world’s chaos, let us proclaim this gospel of sovereign love, finding joy in the knowledge that our King, born in Bethlehem, upholds us forevermore, drawing us into deeper communion with Him through Word, sacrament, and prayer.