At a recent church service one of the readings in the worship service was from Isaiah 9. Isaiah 9 is a common passage to be read during advent. “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given . . .’ (v. 6). We remember this verse because of the promise, from way back in the Old Testament, that God would send a child to be our Redeemer. And when we think of a child, we think of the sweetness and gentleness and warmth of Christmas. Away in a manger . . .

But when Isaiah proclaimed that prophecy, he spoke it to a people who were oppressed and downtrodden and conquered. Verse 2 of that chapter: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The people of Israel were in darkness; they needed light. Verse 3 speaks of great joy and the people are joyous because the Coming Redeemer will deliver them from their oppressors (verse 4), because He will put an end to war and bloodshed (verse 5), and because He will come as a King on David’s throne (verses 6-7).

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (verses 6-7)”. The bulk of these verses have to do with a coming king, a warrior, a conqueror, a deliverer.

And when I heard these familiar verses, they grabbed me in a new way. When I have thought about the coming of Jesus at Christmas in the past, I have mainly focused on Jesus coming as Savior, as friend, as comforter, as redeemer. Jesus came to be my savior, to rescue me from my sins. But these verses focus on Jesus coming as King. Look at some of the phrases in verses 6-7. The government shall be upon his shoulder means that Jesus came to bear the burden of establishing his kingdom, his government. There will be no end to the peace he brings. There will be no end to his rule, his government. He will sit on the throne of David. He will establish and uphold his kingdom. His kingdom will be marked by justice and righteousness. And then the last phrase of verse 7. God, the Lord of hosts, will do this. God is zealous for his Son to have a kingdom, and he will do it. The Lord of hosts will bring this kingdom to pass.

We have just had an election, and it can be too easy for us to think that our new president will be a good “king”. Some think he will be a bad “king”. No matter what you think about the new president, our true King has come. His kingdom will be marked by righteousness and justice. And it will have no end. There will be no end to the increase of his government and of the peace that our King and his government brings. His reign will increase and increase without end. His peace will increase and increase without end.

And how many of our wonderful Christmas carols remind us of Jesus as King!? “Let earth receive her King” (Joy to the World). “Born they people to deliver, born a child and yet a king” (Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus). “Glory to the new-born King” (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing). “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing” (What Child is This).

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember that the baby in the manger was born the King. His kingdom is taking place in a stealth way now. But little by little, it is moving forward and outward. The Gospels describe it as a mustard seed, that starts small but grows into a huge vine; as a small bit of yeast that affects the whole loaf; and opposite of what we think it should be, where the first are last, the leaders are servants, and those who enter it do so like a child.

At Christmas, and throughout the year, I need to remember that the King has come. All things belong to him. He has authority over all things. He has conquered all things. All of my hardships and difficulties are under his control. Every injustice reports to him. The decisions of every president and prime minister and monarch of every kind bow before his sovereign will and plan. And there will come a day—yes, there will come a day—when every knee will fully and willfully and joyfully bow before him. My task now is to live every day believing that my King has come and that he is working out all things for my good and his glory. Joy to the world; let earth receive her King.