The Whole Story

The following is a poetized version of Isaiah 9:1-7. I wrote it a few years ago for my grandfather as a gift but wanted to include it here.

I have heard Old Testament passages like this compared to viewing a mountain range from only one perspective. We can sometimes guess which mountains are closer and which are farther away because those that are closer may be more pronounced, for example, while those farther away may be covered in fog. Yet this alone doesn’t tell us the distance between those mountains.

Perhaps this was how Isaiah saw the coming of Christ. It was all there, with some events closer than others; however, the timing was vague. In Isaiah 9, the images of Christ as a child and as a ruling conqueror on David’s throne are both present—within just a few verses!—yet are thousands of years apart.

Now, after the cross but before the Second Advent, we see a little more of the mountain range. We know more than Isaiah, but there’s still some vagueness to God’s future plans.

Yet one thing we do know: Christ came once as a child. Soon He will come again, and then “of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”

For to Us a Child Is Born

They who once walked in the cruelty of night

Grace has introduced to the Presence of Light.

Prodigals lost in gloom and distress

Hear now the words, “Enter My rest.”

Slaves of disgrace, the chronic, old mark

Of outcasts who roamed in the land of the dark,

Are invited to join the holy nation

And live with hope and in adoration.

The King of kings can increase their joy

Because of the life of one sinless boy.

So, like the townsmen harvesting wheat,

As in the days of Midian’s defeat,

They live now rejoicing—beautiful wonder!—

Like warriors happily splitting the plunder.

He crushed their oppressors, their weapons He broke

And as their Father came crushing their yoke.

The Mighty One came to shatter their rod

That people may know the redemption of God.

He calls to the weary, worn and contrite:

“Come to me. Learn, for My burden is light.”

In blamelessness soon He will triumph one day,

Death and demon to finally slay.

And in His righteousness vanquish He must

And punish His foes because He is just.

A Savior is coming, though not in battle

But as a babe in a manger for cattle.

A Child is born (a Prince at stake

To save us from that sulfur lake).

Not anyone could pay the fee

But One innocent since eternity.

In a simple stable, a Son was given—

Gift of God and Prize of heaven—

Whom one day will all tongues confess,

Each heart acknowledge and each word bless.

A reign of justice from David’s throne

Shall belong to Him alone.

And in His glory the Prince of Peace

Will summon sinners, brothers released.

Though hard to conceive that to Him all will kneel,

No thing is too hard for Almighty zeal.