Vox Church 12-14 Sermon: Christmas Gift of Jesus—Light, Peace, and Receiving Grace

Sermon by – Lead Pastor Justin Kendrick – Vox Church

Personal Sermon Notes …

For to Us a Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:1–7)

9 ^[a] 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.^[b]

^2 [c] The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
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^[d] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^[e]
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.

Theme

Christmas invites us to “open the gift” of Jesus’ arrival by personally receiving the promised Light and King—God’s unearned gift that ends gloom, breaks oppression, and brings an everlasting reign of joy, peace, justice, and life as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Summary

During this special season, the church is called to “dial in and focus on Jesus and what He’s done and the great gift of His arrival,” participating in worship gatherings, Christmas services, and mission-centered generosity as God advances the gospel through his people. The teaching centers on Isaiah 9:1–7, a prophecy written about 600 years before Jesus’ birth, announcing that God will replace distress and “deep darkness” with dawning light, multiplied joy, and liberation from oppression: “There will be no more gloom,” “a great light” has dawned, joy increases like harvest and victory, and the yoke and rod of the oppressor are shattered.

Isaiah’s “darkness” is presented not only as historical suffering (Assyrian invasion) but also as a metaphor for the universal human condition—dark thoughts, desires, memories, grief, and depression—intensified by “deep darkness,” the “death shadow” of mortality that fuels anxiety and shrinks our ability to live fully. The culture’s endless chase for pleasure, security, or status can be a symptom of living as if this life is all there is.

The prophecy climaxes in the announcement of the gift itself: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” The crucial distinction of the gospel is not merely that Jesus came, died, and rose, but that he did it “for you… to us.” Yet like an unclaimed inheritance, the gift can remain available “at no cost” and still never be received—left “on the porch”—because of shame, unworthiness, unbelief, or pride. God’s deliverance is emphasized as unexpected and entirely by his power (Galilee imagery; Gideon/Midian; Exodus), reinforcing that the victory is not earned but given.

To “open the gift,” Isaiah points to a lived response: humility (admitting need and powerlessness), lordship (placing “the government… on his shoulders” rather than carrying it ourselves), and ongoing dependence (moment-by-moment reliance on Jesus’ sufficiency). His titles reveal what he provides continually—wisdom and guidance as Wonderful Counselor, strength as Mighty God, belonging and care as Everlasting Father, and security/shalom as Prince of Peace. The promise ends with confidence that his kingdom of peace will never end and that “the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Key Points

1. Christmas is a season to focus on Jesus and the gift of his arrival, expressed through worship, services, and mission participation.
2. Isaiah 9 is a prophecy written roughly 600 years before Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
3. God promises: “There will be no more gloom for those who are in distress.”
4. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… a light has dawned.”
5. God “enlarged the nation and increased their joy,” describing joy like harvest and victory spoil.
6. God “shattered the yoke that burdens them… the rod of their oppressor,” signaling real deliverance.
7. “To us a child is born, to us a son is given”—the gift is personal (“for you”).
8. “The government will be on his shoulders,” calling for surrender of control and allegiance.
9. Jesus is named “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” and his peace will have no end.
10. The gift must be received: opened through humility, yielding lordship, and dependence rather than willpower or self-earning.
11. Many resist receiving grace due to shame, unworthiness, or pride—leaving the gift unclaimed.
12. “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this,” grounding hope in God’s initiative and faithfulness.

Highlights

• “There will be no more gloom for those who are in distress.”
• “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”
• “You have shattered the yoke that burdens them… the rod of their oppressor.”
• “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
• “And of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end.”
• “And the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
• “Christmas has always been ultimately about the gift… but the gift of Christmas can’t just be told it must be opened.”
• “Where is the government of your life, is it on his shoulders or is it on your shoulders?”
• “Christianity doesn’t work by willpower… Christianity works by receiving the gift.”

Topics

1. Seasonal Church Focus & Mission EngagementThe church leans into Christmas worship and services, celebrating God’s movement through his church and encouraging participation in gatherings and end-of-year giving as a response to the gospel.
2. Isaiah 9: Light, Joy, and LiberationGod’s promise replaces gloom and darkness with light and joy, and breaks oppressive burdens—depicting decisive rescue, peace, and the end of conflict.
3. Darkness and the “Death Shadow”“Walking in darkness” names both external suffering and the inner human condition; “deep darkness” points to mortality’s shadow that generates anxiety and distorts life.
4. The Gift Announced: The Child and His Endless ReignThe prophecy centers on Jesus: a child given “to us,” reigning with unending peace and justice, bearing divine names that reveal his identity and what he provides.
5. Receiving Grace Personally (Not Leaving It on the Porch)Like an unclaimed inheritance, the gospel can be known but not received; shame, pride, or self-reliance keeps people from accepting the free gift.
6. How to Open the Gift: Humility, Lordship, DependenceOpening the gift means admitting need, placing life’s “government” on Jesus’ shoulders, and living in continual reliance on him for counsel, strength, belonging, and peace.

Suggestions

• Participate fully in Christmas worship gatherings and services as a way to re-center on Jesus.
• Receive the gift personally: stop qualifying it, stop trying to earn it, and bring it “inside.”
• Practice “opening the gift” through:
  • Humility: admit need and powerlessness.
  • Lordship: place the government of your life on Jesus’ shoulders.
  • Dependence: look to him hour by hour for strength, peace, belonging, and guidance.