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Christmas · Christmas Midnight · Year B

Isaiah 9:2-7

To Us a Child is Born

December 25, 2026

The Nativity (Holy Night / La Notte), Antonio da Correggio
The Nativity (Holy Night / La Notte), Antonio da Correggio, c. 1528–1530Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden
The first painting to make the Christ child the only source of light, so that the shepherd woman raises a hand against the brightness coming off him.The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders.Antonio da CorreggioA painter from Parma who dissolved ceilings into open sky and invented effects of light that the Baroque spent a century catching up with.Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, DresdenThe Saxon electors' collection, built around the Sistine Madonna, and reopened after wartime evacuation and Soviet return.Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:1-14 (15-20)Lk 2:1-14 (15-20)
EpistleTitus 2:11-14Ti 2:11-14
Old TestamentIsa. 9:2-7Is 9:2-7
PsalterPs. 96Ps 96

Overview & Insights

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (Isaiah 9:6)

We come to the close of the material that focuses on the crisis presented by the pressure of the northern allies (6:1–9:7). Isaiah speaks further about his ministry and its significance for Judah (8:11–22) and Yahweh offers a vision of light dawning the other side of the coming darkness (9:1–7).

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Commentary

Isaiah 9 Commentary: Unto Us A Child Is BornIs 9 Commentary: Unto Us A Child Is Born Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse commentary on the child born and the government on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9:2-7 CommentaryIs 9:2-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading of light dawning on those in darkness and the titles of the coming king.

Commentary on Isaiah 9:2-7Commentary on Is 9:2-7 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary lectionary commentary on Isaiah 9:2-7 from Working Preacher.

Isaiah 9 Commentary | Precept AustinIs 9 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin

Verse by verse study notes, Hebrew word studies, and gathered quotations on Isaiah 9.

Isaiah 9:2 CommentariesIs 9:2 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentaries compiled side by side for Isaiah 9:2.

Background & Word Study

Book of Isaiah - Enter the BibleBook of Is - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on the composition, setting, and themes of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:2 Interlinear BibleIs 9:2 Interlinear Bible BibleHub

Hebrew text of Isaiah 9:2 with parsing, transliteration, and Strong's numbers for word study.

Isaiah 9 on SefariaIs 9 on Sefaria Sefaria

The Hebrew of Isaiah 9 with Jewish commentaries and cross references alongside the English.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 9 - Catena Bible & CommentariesIs 9 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

A catena of the Church Fathers commenting verse by verse on Isaiah 9.

Questions preachers ask

Why is Isaiah 9 read at Christmas?

The people who walked in darkness see a great light: a child is born who bears the names Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and reigns on David's throne forever.

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