“God Keeps His Word”

Isaiah 9:2-7

Christmas Eve 2008 Homily

Isaiah 55:10-11: For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my Word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

[Prayer]

A long, long time ago the prophet Isaiah had a vision. His vision was a prophecy about the Messiah for whom all of Israel longed. This vision was neither a product of his imagination nor a design of his intellect. It wasn’t even his vision; it was God’s. The words he spoke to the people of Judah were not his words. They were God’s Word.

If there was any doubt as to whose Word this was the final sentence of verse 7 dispelled it. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” The prophecy would be fulfilled; the vision would be realized. Not because Isaiah said it would – or hoped it would – or thought it would. Not because the children of Israel prayed it would. It would be fulfilled – it would be realized – because God spoke it into being. It was a done deal.

God’s Word does not go forth only to dissipate in some cosmic mist. It goes forth productively. It produces that which God says it will. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” If God were a Cajun chef the sentence would read, “I gow-ron-tee!” God speaks. Things happen. Not always immediately. Not always in the manner we wish. In God’s own time and God’s own way his Word comes true. His promises are kept.

The promise we celebrate tonight is God’s promise that his people would no longer dwell in darkness. In his own time and his own way God came among us as Emmanuel. Or as John’s Gospel puts it, “The light – [God’s Word made flesh in Jesus of Nazareth] –shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” The darkness will never overcome it. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this…. I, the Lord, gow-ron-tee!”

We’re lighting candles tonight. We’re singing about baby Jesus in a manger, about shepherds, about angelic voices. We’ve read God’s Word together about a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This Word describes a Messiah – a Christ. He has come as a helpless infant born into a blue-collar family. He has lived among us as a preacher, teacher, and healer. As our Savior he died on a cross, enduring hell itself in our place. By the power of God he was raised from the dead. One day he will come again in all his glory. Then there will be endless peace, true justice, and ultimate righteousness.

Jesus is not some pipe dream or human construct. He wasn’t born because we wanted him to be. He didn’t die on a cross at our request. He wasn’t raised from the dead by some great human endeavor. He will not come again just because we so desperately want him to.

Jesus came; Jesus will come. Why? Because God said so. And continues to say so. His Word has gone out and it will not return to him empty. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this… I, the Lord, gow-run-tee!” Amen.