This column looks at scripture from the original Hebrew and Greek. 

 

For Unto Us a Child is Born!

For Unto Us a Son is Given!

By Constance Gilbert

 

O LORD, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness you have

done marvelous things,

things planned long ago.

(Isaiah 25:1, NIV)

 

      Long ago, in 1741, George Frideric Handel composed "The Messiah" in 24 days. It was intended as a thought provoking work for Easter and Lent, but became a Christmas time tradition.

      Long ago, as a teen, I learned to sing that mighty work. As an adult, I sang it annually in a community choral society and at Messiah sing-a longs. Now I cannot reach those high notes but I listen to it every year during the month of December and during Lent.

 

 

      

       As a teen and young adult, I focused on the music.  Gradually, the words became full of meaning and each year I have discovered new insights. 

   

      In Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah) and in the Greek, Christos, come from verbs meaning "to annoint with sacred oil." As a title, they mean "The Annointed One." Isaiah 9:6 tells us His name shall also "be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua. which means "the Lord saves."

      "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..."  This is the foundation of our faith ~ to know that the Son of God was born as Isaiah foretold.

      Matthew begins not with His birth, but with the child's family tree. I skipped this chapter for years not realizing its importance. When I finally took the time to consider that list, I found that the Savior's family tree was as blemished as mine, which includes teachers, preachers, and horse thieves. 

      True, Jesus came from a royal line, but not one of purity or faithfulness.

      Abraham, the first Jew, was a man of faith. The man with whom God made covenants that continue to this day. Yet his faith wavered and He lied. As he aged, he doubted God's words that he would have many sons.

      Rehab, a Gentile prostitute was the grandmother of Boaz. He married, against Jewish law, a foreigner named Ruth. Their son, Obed, would father Jessie, who's offspring would include David.

        In spite of being the apple of God's eyes, David was guilty of adultery and murder.

      Eventually we come to Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.  

      

 

                        When the song of the angel is stilled,                              
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost--To heal the broken--To feed the hungry--            
To release the prisoner--To rebuild the nations--
To bring peace among brothers and sisters--
To make music in the heart. 

                                                      ~ Howard Thurman

 

 

 

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