Isaiah 9:2-7
Don't Overlook the Joy

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
      Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation.
      You have increased their joy.

They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.

World English Bible

Our God is a God of joy!

Much of the message of Isaiah and the other prophets talk about the sinfulness and rebellion of God's people, and the inevitability of the results that would come from that rebellion. At the same time, Isaiah and the other prophets also spoke of God's revelations to them of the restoration and joy that would come with reconciliation to God. In this particular passage, Isaiah shows God's determination and power through a number of contrasts:

Out of a broken nation will come a strong and growing nation.

Out of the darkness will come light.

Out of slavery will come freedom.

Out of the temporality of earthly life will come the eternity of life with God.

God will do this in ways that contrast our ways as well. Instead of a mighty warrior, a child will come. The first title used to describe this child is "wonderful counselor," one who advises us and shares wisdom with us, not one who has complete authority to command us. That this Counselor is also called the Mighty God emphasizes this contrast more.

The final contrast is between our troubled ways and the ways of the Prince of Peace. We strive and fail, creating division and uproar, and the Savior heals, unites, and creates everlasting peace. We struggle in our search for happiness, but God gives us miraculous joy. Isaiah tells us God acts with zeal, enthusiastically and urgently bringing about the peace and joy that God badly wants us to have.

We know that what was foretold in this prophesy has happened, that God through Jesus came to live with us, to experience life, and to show us the Way. We know just as surely that God still today comes to live with us and in us, that God counsels and guides us into experiencing Life as God intends for us, and that we have the joy and peace of Emmanuel, God With Us, always.

Still, we too often miss the breadth of what God is giving to us. We recognize the reconciliation, we are deeply grateful for the forgiveness, and we value the guidance, for these things we can add into our schedules still maintain enough control to meet all our obligations. Peace and Joy, on the other hand, require releasing our illusion of control, and letting God lead us.

This is the gospel, the good news, of Christmas--we are not alone, trying to make the best of the messes we have made. God has come and remains with us to free us from ourselves, to give to us blessings that we could never acquire for ourselves and do not deserve. Joy has come to the world for every one of us!