UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,

UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV).

Christmas season every year has been dedicated to the celebration of the Child Jesus Christ that was born “...wrapped... in swaddling cloths, and laid... in a manger” (Luke 2:7 NKJV) in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago. It is interesting that Prophet Isaiah rightly prophesied that a Child would be born, and a Son would be given. However, it is unfortunate that many people take no or little notice of this, especially the Son that was given that day!

While the Child that was born signifies the humanity of Jesus Christ, the Son that was given signifies His deity. The attraction centred on the Child that was born has belittled the significance of the Son that was given. The Child that was born was the Son that was given through the demonstration of the love of God the Father to the world “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV. See also John 1:14, 18; Romans 5:6-10; 8:32; 1 Timothy 1:15-16). The latter part of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 is referring to the Son that was given. He is the Messiah that “the government will be upon His shoulder” - the eternal King that will reign and rule over the Universe. This Son’s “...name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). He is indeed more than a child that many people are celebrating during Christmas.

While it is good to decently celebrate the Child that was born in Bethlehem, it is far better to believe in the Son that was given during that event for the salvation of humankind. Do not let the celebration of the born Child blindfold you to the importance of the given Son who will judge the world one day.

Unto us a Son is given!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).