Unto us a Child is Born

Photograph: P Hamil

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet foretold that one day, a child would be born as a ruler.

He would be a descendant of King David, and would be known as Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9.6)

He also claimed that there would be no end to his rule, and to the peace he would bring, and he would uphold his kingdom with justice and with righteousness. (Isaiah 9.7)

Isaiah said this child would be known as Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’ and he would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7.14)

Another prophet also foretold where he would be born: In Bethlehem (Micah 5.2)

In Genesis 49.10 there is a prophecy, which says that the sceptre (a symbol of kingship) would never depart from the house of Jacob’s son, Judah. (Matthew 1.3)

Jesus happened to be born in the right place, Bethlehem, at the right time, simply because the Romans ordered his family to be there for a census. (Matthew 2. 4-7)

Some angels told shepherds, “Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born, who is Christ the Lord.

They gave the shepherds a sign so they would know where to look for him . . . in an animal feeding trough! And so they hurried off to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in a manger.

There is a poster which reads: 'Wise men seek him still'. What do you think the people who produced this poster are trying to say?

37 Unto us a Child is Born (Isaiah 9. 6-7)

(to the tune ‘Yankee Doodle’)

Unto us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and government around the world,

will be upon his shoulders

Mighty God,

The Prince of Peace,

Everlasting Father.

Counsellor,

Most Wonderful.

His power will be endless.

And he will reign on David’s throne

and over all his kingdom.

Building and upholding it,

with righteousness and justice.

From that time for evermore,

His peace it shall be endless.

His government shall never cease

the Lord himself will do this.

Repeat verse 1 & chorus 1

www.sheilahamil.co.uk

After reading about all these prophecies,

what do you think is so special about Jesus?

The birth of a baby is so special isn’t it?

As a class project, encourage each child to bring

in photos of when they were babies.

Put them all on the wall and try and invite the children

to guess which photograph belongs to which child.