A Child Is Born
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
In a dark time, when enemies had conquered the north of Israel, Isaiah promised that people walking in darkness would see a great light. God would break the yoke of their oppressors, not with an army, but with a child: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and his kingdom of peace would never end.
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 9:1-7
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. No More Gloom | 9:1 | God will honor the land that was humbled |
| 2. A Great Light | 9:2-3 | People in darkness see light |
| 3. The Yoke Is Broken | 9:4-5 | God sets his people free from their oppressors |
| 4. Unto Us a Child Is Born | 9:6 | A child with four great names |
| 5. No End | 9:7 | His kingdom of peace will last forever |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Isaiah was a prophet in Jerusalem, about 740 to 700 BC (Isaiah 1:1). A prophet is a messenger who speaks for God.
What was happening. It was a dark time. The mighty empire of Assyria was attacking. The northern part of Israel, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali around Galilee, was conquered first. People were afraid, and many turned to fortune-tellers instead of God (8:19-22).
What this passage is. A promise of light after darkness. It is poetry. Isaiah speaks as if the great day has already come, because God's promise is that sure.
How to read it. Christians hear these words every Christmas. As you read, notice the names given to the child.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5No More Gloom
Isaiah begins with a turn. "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress" (9:1).
Gloom means deep darkness and sadness.
The land of Zebulun and Naphtali, in the north, had been humbled. It was the first to be conquered. But God says that one day he will honor that very land, "Galilee of the nations" (9:1).
Section 2 of 5A Great Light
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" (9:2).
The shadow of death means living where fear and death seem to rule.
Then Isaiah speaks to God. The people's joy will be like the joy of harvest, when the crops are finally brought in.
Section 3 of 5The Yoke Is Broken
God will break the yoke on his people's shoulders. A yoke is a heavy wooden bar used to make animals pull loads. Here it means being crushed by enemies.
Isaiah remembers "the day of Midian" (9:4), when God used Gideon and a tiny army to defeat a huge enemy (Judges 7).
Even the soldiers' boots and bloody clothes will be burned. War will be over.
Section 4 of 5Unto Us a Child Is Born
How will God do all this? Not with an army. With a child.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders" (9:6).
The burden on the people's shoulders is lifted. The government now rests on his shoulders.
Then come his names: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (9:6).
A Wonderful Counselor gives perfect wisdom. Mighty God means this child is more than a human king. Everlasting Father means he cares for his people forever, like a good father. The Prince of Peace brings peace that lasts.
Section 5 of 5No End
"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (9:7).
He will rule on King David's throne, with justice and righteousness, forever.
And who will make it happen? "The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this" (9:7). Zeal means burning, eager love. God himself will do it.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "There will be no more gloom" (9:1) | God promises an end to the darkness. |
| "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light" (9:2) | God's light comes to people who are afraid and lost. |
| "You have shattered the yoke of their burden" (9:4) | God sets his people free. |
| "Unto us a child is born" (9:6) | God's answer is a baby, born for us. |
| "Mighty God" (9:6) | This child is God himself. |
| "Prince of Peace" (9:6) | He brings peace with God and between people. |
| "There will be no end" (9:7) | His kingdom lasts forever. |
Back Then
Zebulun and Naphtali were two of Israel's tribes. Their land was around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus grew up and did much of his work there.
Assyria conquered this region around 732 BC. Many people were taken away (2 Kings 15:29).
Handel's Messiah sets these words to music. The chorus "For unto us a child is born" is one of the most famous pieces of music ever written.
Literal Reader Alert
Was Isaiah talking about Jesus, or a king in his own time? Some readers think Isaiah first hoped for a good king soon, like King Hezekiah. But no ordinary king could be called "Mighty God" or rule forever. The New Testament and the church see these words fulfilled in Jesus.
Is Jesus the "Everlasting Father"? Isn't he the Son? Yes, Jesus is the Son, not the Father. "Everlasting Father" here describes how he cares for his people forever, like a father cares for his children.
Why is there still war if he is the Prince of Peace? Jesus brings peace with God now, and peace in hearts. His full peace, with no more war, will come when he returns.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The people | Afraid | They lived in darkness and the shadow of death (9:2) |
| The people | Joyful | Like the joy of harvest (9:3) |
| The people | Free | The yoke was broken (9:4) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which name of the child do you need most? Tap one.
Wonderful Counselor
You don't have to figure it all out. He gives wisdom.
Mighty God
Nothing is too strong for him.
Everlasting Father
He cares for you, and he will never leave.
Prince of Peace
He brings peace where there is fear and fighting.
You Might Have Heard
"Christmas is just a nice story about a baby."
What's true: Christmas is about a real baby, born to a real mother.
What the passage is mainly about: Isaiah says this child would be called "Mighty God." The baby in the manger is God himself, come to bring light to people in darkness and to rule in peace forever.
Where Jesus is: Born in Bethlehem, raised in Galilee, preaching first in the very land Isaiah said would see a great light.
Good News
People were walking in darkness. God didn't send an army. He sent a child.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (9:6).
Jesus is that child. He came for us. His light shines in every darkness, and his kingdom of peace will never end.
God promised a child who would bring light and peace forever. Jesus is that child, born for us.
Big Idea
People walking in darkness have seen a great light. A child is born for us: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved the words "unto us." In a Christmas sermon, he said the most important thing is not just that a child was born, but that he was born for us, for you.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Isaiah 9:2-7 on Christmas Eve in all three years, and Isaiah 9:1-4 on the Third Sunday after the Epiphany in Year A.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Christmas: The Nativity of Our Lord Year A · Year B · Year CFirst reading, Isaiah 9:2–7
- Third Sunday after the Epiphany Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 9:1–4
For a newsletter or sermon notes
A Child Is Born, explained in plain words. People in darkness see a great light. God's answer is a child. About 10 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/a-child-is-born/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church