For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. The power of leadership and the weight of authority will rest on His shoulders. He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. And of His government and its peace there will be no end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. Isaiah 9:6-7 Adapted

God is a Mighty God, omnipotent and all-powerful. We don’t tend to think of the baby Jesus in those terms, which ignores that this babe in a manager is none other than Emmanuel, God with us.

This prophetic passage from Isaiah 9 describes the future Messiah as a powerful leader. We don’t see this aspect of the Messiah in Jesus’s first coming. In His second coming He will be revealed in His full power. He will be a heroic, valiant, and powerful sovereign over the armies of Heaven. He will be called King of kings and Lord of lords, and He will destroy the enemy nations (Revelation 19).

During the time that Jesus walked the earth His might was evident in more subtle ways. He was a powerful Jewish teacher. He performed countless miracles including casting out demons, healing, and feeding thousands of people with a few loaves and fishes. And He transformed a small band of followers into the Apostles who would change the world. His own death on the cross and resurrection are significant proof that Jesus was (and still is) Almighty God.

As we focus on Christmas and baby Jesus in a manger, let us not ignore the mightiness referenced in Isaiah’s prophetic words. We ain’t seen nothing yet.