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Christmas · The Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Midnight)

Isaiah 9:2-7

To Us a Child is Born

December 25, 2025

The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308–1311National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The stable built into the rock with the mother laid out across the whole width of it, and on the two wings, standing outside the scene and holding their own words on scrolls, the prophets who foretold it.The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: Duccio put Isaiah beside the scene and let him hold the verse.Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe founder of Sienese painting, who kept the gold and the Byzantine patterns while letting real feeling into the faces.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.Founded on Andrew Mellon's collection and his insistence that it carry no one's name, and free to the public by law.National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Historic One-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

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

Luther Seminary commentary for the Nativity of Our Lord.

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

Reformed reading of the great light and the child born to us.

Enduring Word: Isaiah Chapter 9Enduring Word: Is Chapter 9 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Evangelical commentary on Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9 CommentaryIs 9 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study with Hebrew helps and cross references.

Isaiah 9:2 CommentariesIs 9:2 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on the people who walked in darkness.

Background & Word Study

Enter the Bible: IsaiahEnter the Bible: Is Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on First Isaiah's setting.

Isaiah 9:2 InterlinearIs 9:2 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text with parsing of the light-and-darkness oracle.

Sefaria: Isaiah 9Sefaria: Is 9 Sefaria

Hebrew text with Jewish commentaries such as Rashi and Radak.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Isaiah 9Catena: Is 9 Catena

Patristic readings of the child who is born to us.

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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