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Christmas Season · Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Eve Proper 1 · Year A

Isaiah 9:2-7

To Us a Child is Born

December 24, 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.
Revised Common 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

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Isaiah’s Significance, and the Fall of Darkness: 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 9:2-7Is 9:2-7 Working Preacher

Scholarship on the light dawning and the child born to us.

Isaiah 9Is 9 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the promised child and his kingdom.

Isaiah 9 resourcesIs 9 resources Precept Austin

An evangelical study collating word notes and cross-references on the oracle.

Classic commentaries on Isaiah 9Classic commentaries on Is 9 BibleHub

A classic aggregator with many historic commentators on the prophecy.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 9:2-7 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryIs 9:2-7 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with Jewish commentary and linked traditional sources.

Isaiah 9:2-7Is 9:2-7 Enter the Bible

An accessible introduction to the passage's context and meaning.

Isaiah and WorkIs and Work Theology of Work

Reads Isaiah's vision of justice and government through the lens of daily work.

Overview: IsaiahOverview: Is BibleProject

An animated overview placing the child-king oracle within Isaiah's whole story.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 9, patristic commentaryIs 9, patristic commentary Catena

Early church comments gathered verse by verse on the messianic promise.

Questions preachers ask

Why are the verbs in Isaiah 9 in the past tense?

It is the prophetic perfect: the deliverance is spoken of as already done because the one who promised it is certain to do it. A child is born, authority rests on his shoulders, and the oppressor’s rod is broken, all announced before any of it can be seen.

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