Did You Know?

After Mary gave birth to Jesus, the angels posed questions to her about her Baby Boy, all in good faith. They asked her, “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?” She might have suspected her Baby Boy was like none other, but she probably did not know He would save our sons and daughters.

Similarly, there are many things we miss when we read the Bible, one of which is in Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. And the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Did you know there were two separate events described in the above verse?

The first event is that a child was born unto us. Everybody who has ever heard of Jesus, whether a believer or not, knows that event. Only today, my Muslim cousins greeted me for Christmas because they know that a child was born on this day many centuries ago. What such people may not know is the second event contained in that verse. Did you know that there is another group of “Us” to which that verse addresses itself?

The second event applies to them, or I should say to us. To Us, a Son is given. Hallelujah! On that first Christmas day, a group of people saw a Son being given, in addition to knowing what everybody else knew, that a Child was born. These are those to whom the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son … (in John 3.16)

Did You Know The Love Of God?

They saw the depth of love that caused God to give us the gift of His only begotten Son. Did you know that the only response to such love is worship? Worship that involves a first step of surrender? You see that love and know that the God who can give us a Son can also be trusted with everything you are and own.

You give it all up and invite God to come into your life and take over its management when you see the love that gave. If all you see is a child being born, you do not have the same reaction as when you clearly see the gift of God’s Son. Handel must have seen it, and he might have understood that not many saw it. Hence, in his composition of Handel’s Messiah, he repeated it. It was like asking us, “Did you know that God gave us His Son? “

This double reading of God’s actions is one that King David understood, declaring in Psalm 62.11: God has spoken once, twice I have heard this; that power belongs to God. Every time speaks or acts, look for a double meaning. It is like the physical and the spiritual meanings of God’s every action. Did you know that when His Child was born physically, He also spiritually gave His Son?

Did You Know You Miss Out on God’s Promises?

Sadly, many stop at the birth of the child, failing to go on and see the wonderful gift of a Son, characterized as the indescribable Gift. Did you know that a gift is not a gift until it is received? God gave; have you received Jesus into your heart? Otherwise, you may not be a true Christian, even if you officiate in a church.

For over a year now, we have been considering why the promises of God seem to bypass some believers. This is one of the reasons. You know a child was born at Christmas; you even know that His name was Jesus. But did you know the second act that God accomplished with the birth of His child?

He gave us a Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Unfortunately, if you miss that second event, you will also miss out on all the promises that follow. God forbid that I should miss out on any of these powerful promises. Consider the first one.

The Government of Your Life

Did you know, for instance, that when you see the gift of a Son, the government of your life will be on the shoulders of Jesus? Read it from Isaiah 9.6, which we considered earlier. Unless you see the spiritual aspect of Christmas, you are carrying the load of your life on your own shoulders. Ouch! I would not wish to be the person who cannot roll their burden on Jesus.

And there is more: And His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. I hope you remember that God said to Moses in Exodus 6:3: “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord, I was not known to them.”

That means the unlimited God appears to you by different names, according to your need at any given time. Did you know that unless you see the gift of the Son of God, He cannot manifest as Wonderful in your life? Others may be enjoying the counsel of the Lord, but you will be wallowing in confusion. Did you know that God will not give you advice if you do not see the gift of His son?

We could go on and on, but if the promises of God are failing to manifest in your life, pray that you will truly see the Son given unto us at Christmas. Only then will you know, love, and trust God enough to surrender the management of your life into his hands. In common language, you will give your life over to Jesus.

Maranatha!