A Birth That Still Captures Our Attention - God With Us: Lessons from the Incarnation

“For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.” (Isaiah 9:6–7, MSG)

“We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created...He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment... All the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” (Colossians 1:15–20, MSG)

I vividly remember the birth of each of my three boys. Each one has his own coming-into-the-world story. Our oldest son came a week early. My wife’s water broke in the middle of the night, and she gave birth to our first child after hours and hours of exhausting labor. Our second son came a week late, and he was born with a congenital heart defect. He would go on to have three heart procedures, and by God’s grace, he is healthy and strong. My third son was born right on time.

My wife began to have early labor pains before the birth of our third son on September 11. I joked that we couldn’t have this baby on 9/11. What a horrible birthday! She held on and gave birth to him on September 12, 2009. I suppose we could find innumerable stories of birth, stories of pain, stories of tears and joy. Among all these countless stories, one coming-into-the-world story has been told and retold more than any other. It’s the story of Christmas.

“A child has been born for us.” That single sentence holds the weight of hope for the world. Jesus was not just a good man or wise teacher; he was the arrival of the God of creation wrapped in newborn skin. Imagine that! The God of all creation experienced birth into the world God created. Jesus came to fulfill what the prophets of old said.

Isaiah’s prophecy calls him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. And yet, he arrived not with trumpets but cries. He grew up to carry not a sword, but healing in his hands. This child came to reorder our world. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. The kingdom would be given to children, sinners, and those who ached for the world to be made right. Jesus came to bring peace where there had only been violent revolts. His kingdom was not built through coercion, but through compassion.

The story of Jesus’ birth continues to be celebrated year after year because his coming-into-the-world story is that one that saves the world. Jesus is the Son of God and the King who brings peace through his presence in our neighborhoods, not power to control. This reflection challenges the way we understand leadership, authority, and what real peace looks like.

Follow Jesus by embracing humility, seeking peace, and working for justice in your own neighborhood. As you refuel your joy in light of the birth of Jesus offer this brief prayer:

Prince of Peace, let your kingdom’s rule and reign increase in my heart. Shape my actions and attitudes to reflect your justice and mercy. Amen.