The Son For All Seasons

The Son For All Seasons

“For to us a Child Is born, to us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

This verse, so popular at Christmas time, presents two truths: the Son of God is fully human and eternally Son. The first part says He became man – “a Child is born.” When Luke wrote that “a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11), he conveyed the same message. Both the Hebrew and Greek words for “born” refer to child-bearing.

The latter part of the verse says that while the Child is born, the “Son is given.” The reference is not to sinless humanity, but to eternal sonship. In Hebrew, the word “given” does not refer to birth or beginning, but to “bringing forth with purpose” the Son who already was. John recorded this bringing forth with purpose this way: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son ... to save the world through Him” (Jn. 3:16-17).

Our Lord did not become the Son of God – that He always was, is, and will be (Heb. 13:8). But He did become man. The Son is as eternal as the Father. He is God’s expression of eternal relationship and purpose. Thinking about this helps us grow in our appreciation of the Son coming from glory to die for our sins (Jn. 17:5; Heb. 1:3), and returning to glory taking many sons (including us) with Him (Jn. 17:24; Heb. 2:9-10).

The whole truth is not just that “a Child is born,” but also that “a Son is given.” Those who focus on the first part may only enjoy His coming for the Christmas season. Those who also grab hold of the second part can enjoy His coming for all seasons – even for eternity.

By Larry Ondrejack

“May the humility of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the joy of the angels
and the peace of the Christ child
be God’s gift to you
at Christmas and always.”
(Traditional Moravian Blessing)