The Old Testament reading for Christmas Day is from Isaiah 9:1-7. These verses are familiar to us, especially if you remember Handel’s “Messiah”:

⁶ For a child has been born for us,
    a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders,
    and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Great will be his authority,
    and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
    He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

It was v. 5 that jumped out this time. It is one of those times when I read a passage that I’ve read dozens and dozens of times and say, “When did they put this verse in there?”

I pray Isaiah 9:5 this Christmas season:

For all the boots of the tramping warriors
    and all the garments rolled in blood
    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

He has come. We need him as the Prince of Peace.