In Isaiah 9:1-7, we have this amazing promise of a child being born - a promise taken up by Luke at the birth of Jesus:

Isaiah 9 (ESV)
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

What a meaty passage (especially when read in conjunction with the rest of the chapter)! We have this great light shining in a deeply-dark place, wonderful joy, and a lifting of the yoke of oppression. We have this incredible God-man being born, one carrying the full authority of government - an eternal kingdom ruled with justice and righteousness, brought about by God's great zeal.

In light of this passage, I want to probe three questions that will help us think more deeply about the meaning of Christmas:

• To whom has the light shone?
• Why has the light come?
• How does the light speak to us?