Lord God Almighty, your reign is eternal. You are our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Trusting in your promises, I am filled with hope and I praise your glorious name. Amen.

Isaiah 8:16—9:7 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Share the Joy of the Lord Introduction Isaiah 8:16—9:7: The LORD has told the prophet Isaiah to give his newborn son a name that symbolizes that the kings of Israel and Syria will be destroyed quickly by their Assyrian foes. Isaiah warns of the Assyrian attack and God’s coming judgment against Judah because King Ahaz preferred to seek an alliance with Assyria rather than relying on God (Isaiah 8:1-15). In today’s reading, Isaiah encourages the people to place their trust and hope in God. After more warnings are given and a time of trouble is foretold, Isaiah speaks words of hope about the coming of a righteous king and his reign of justice and peace. Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” Prince of Peace.” Today’s Reading 16 You, my disciples, are to guard and preserve the messages that God has given me. 17 The LORD has hidden himself from his people, but I trust him and place my hope in him. 18 Here I am with the children the LORD has given me. The LORD Almighty, whose throne is on Mount Zion, has sent us as living messages to the people of Israel. 19 But people will tell you to ask for messages from fortunetellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, “After all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living.” 20 You are to answer them, “Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don't listen to mediums—what they tell you cannot keep trouble away. ” 21 The people will wander through the land, discouraged and hungry. In their hunger and their anger they will curse their king and their God. They may look up to the sky 22 or stare at the ground, but they will see nothing but trouble and darkness, terrifying darkness into which they are being driven. 1 There will be no way for them to escape from this time of trouble. The land of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali was once disgraced, but the future will bring honor to this region, from the Mediterranean eastward to the land on the other side of the Jordan, and even to Galilee itself, where the foreigners live. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them. 3 You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. They rejoice in what you have done, as people rejoice when they harvest grain or when they divide captured wealth. 4 For you have broken the yoke that burdened them and the rod that beat their shoulders. You have defeated the nation that oppressed and exploited your people, just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago. 5 The boots of the invading army and all their bloodstained clothing will be destroyed by fire. 6 A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.” 7 His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The LORD Almighty is determined to do all this. Reflect Reread 9:2-7. In Christian tradition, verses 6 and 7 are interpreted as referring to the coming of the messianic king. How is this king and his kingdom described? What promise is given?