“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.” (Isaiah 9.6 TNIV)

One of our family’s devotional Bibles for kids describes the King that would come from David’s line as the “forever king.”  For each king that is born after the promise is made to David, the question is asked, “Is this the forever King?”

Isaiah gives a picture of what to expect from this forever king. This verse is so familiar, something we read on Christmas cards or hear read at some point during the Advent season, as we prepare for Christmas. Have you ever thought about the apparent contradiction that Isaiah describes? How can a son be born who will also be “Mighty God”? How can a “forever King” be a newborn?

With the birth of Christ, God gave the world exactly what it needed. Someone divine, perfect in every way and, at the same time, someone who is able truly to be “with us” because he is one of us. What better way could there be for us to experience “God with us” than to have someone just like us reveal God to us.

When the angels announce the birth of a “newborn King” they announce a reign that will be like no other. The question then becomes, have we allowed this King to reign over our lives? While we may wrestle with the idea of relinquishing control ourselves, Isaiah makes it plain that we place ourselves in the best possible hands when we let Jesus be King over our lives. Take some time today to think about the areas that you need to let Christ reign over your life.

Photo by ecastro

You can read more of Melanie’s musings on Advent at her blog, hark! the herald angels sing.