Verses 1-5. That revelation of the eternal Word made flesh is imparted to all who are in the love of truth for its own sake.

Verses 5-26. His representative as to the Word must teach the doctrine of repentance and faith in Him, the origin of which doctrine is described.

Verses 5-7. As being born from celestial good and truth.

Verses 8-18. And announced by the most high, as being instrumental in promoting purification from evils and falsities, and thus preparing mankind for the reception of good and of truth.

Verses 18-24. Nevertheless this doctrine is not admitted without doubt respecting it, the effect of which doubt is manifested in the inability to make confession of the Lord, and to preach faith in Him.

Verses 23-25. Notwithstanding however this doubt, the doctrine of repentance and faith gains confirmation, though as yet it is seen only obscurely.

Verses 26-34. It is at the same time announced from heaven, that Jehovah will come into the world, and that the Humanity, which He will assume, is the Son of god, by virtue of the Divinity from whom it came forth.

Verses 29-34. Which annunciation causes trouble and surprise, until information is given, that to that Humanity will be transferred the All of Divinity, so that in it Divinity and Humanity will be one, and in that one-ness will have rule over all things of heaven and the church.

Verses 34-36. Since the Humanity is born from the Divine Good and Divine Truth, which is Jehovah.

Verses 36-38. And preparation is made for its reception, through the doctrine of repentance and faith, which was to be taught in the church.

Verses 39-46. That on this occasion, the internal affection of good and of truth in the church is conjoined with the external, so that the productions of the latter become vivified, and the latter affection itself is made holy by virtue of it's exaltation of the former.

Verses 47-51. The former affection, at the same time, exalts the Divine Good and Divine Truth above all things, under a devout sense of the Divine mercy, which attends to the lowest concerns of man, and is ever operative in good to those who desire good.

Verses 51-54. And which assumed a Humanity, that through it the hells might be subdued, and a new church might be established, to which divine good might be imparted, and in which, truth separate from good might be rejected.

Verse 55. As had been predicted.

Verses 56-59. That for this purpose the doctrine of repentance and faith in the incarnate god is taught in the church, to the great joy of those who receive it.

Verses 59-64. The quality of which doctrine is described, as being grounded in the Divine love and mercy.

Verses 64-66. So that they, who acknowledge this quality, are enabled to make confession of the Lord, and to preach faith in Him, exciting devout adoration in all who hear them.

Verses 68-73. Because they teach from Divine truth, that Jehovah assumed a Humanity, for the purpose of effecting redemption and salvation, by conjoining Himself with His church.

Verses 73-76. And that His church, being thus purified from evils and falsities, might be reciprocally conjoined with Him, through the reception of His love and wisdom.

Verses 76-80. Therefore the doctrine of repentance and faith in the incarnate god is of Divine origin, being intended to prepare man for the reception of the Divine mercy, through the removal of all opposing principles, and through the communication of the light of Divine truth, by virtue of which the church would be delivered from the falsities of evil.

Verse 80. Which doctrine is more and more confirmed, though for a time it is received by few.

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 (Isaiah 9:6).

These inspired words are remarkable for the fact that they state so plainly that it was the Father Himself who would come into the world, who would be born among people, and who, even during His time on the earth, would still bear the government of the universe.

In Isaiah's vision, he saw that in the future, a Child would be born - a holy Child, a wonderful Child, a Child who would fulfill all the hope of the ages, a Child who would combine in One Person the omnipotence of God and the approachability of man.

When this Child was finally born into the world, His Advent was noticed first by the wondering shepherds, to whom the angel said, "Do not be afraid, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). Later this Child would be recognized and honored by costly gifts from the hands of the wise men of the East.

People have often wondered and been confused about the divinity of Christ. Mary herself, in the presence of the radiant angel Gabriel, was the first to ask the question: "How can this be?" And she was the first also to receive the Divine answer: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).

If those who followed after Mary had not become blinded and confused by separating God into three Divine Persons, they would have been able to understand how this thing could be, from the prophecy of Isaiah. For he meant the Lord Jesus Christ when he spoke of the Child who was to be born. Isaiah goes on to name the qualities of this Divine Child, this Son. First, he calls Him a wonder Child - Wonderful; then a friend of those who are inquiring and restless - the wise Counselor; next a support in the combats that bow the human soul, when our own powers seem utterly futile and we long for someone who is mightier and greater than we - the Mighty God.

Some people have thought that when the Lord on earth prayed to His Father, He was praying to another person. But if we ponder the words of Isaiah we will realize that this Christ Child, the Baby of Bethlehem, would also be called the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace to eternity.

In the New Church, Christmas is a time to reaffirm our absolute belief in the One God in One Person, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. His coming into the world at Christmas time was the manifestation, in this world, of a power which had always been here. For God was always present in Bethlehem. He was there when it was David's home a thousand years before the wise men arrived from the East. And He is there today, for He is the ever-present Soul of the universe. But on that first Christmas Day the Lord God willed that His invisible Divine Life should take on a human form and substance, so that people might see and know Him more completely, love and worship Him, teach His Gospel and even be willing to give their lives for Him.

Each person's body reveals the soul, the character, the spirit, the personality within him. It is by the acts and deeds of the body that we show forth a kindly spirit or else withhold our love. So it was according to order that God Himself should also assume a body of His own, that He might lead and teach humankind. And once the Human touchability of God had been revealed, it could never be taken away.

And so as the meaning of the Lord's coming becomes ever clearer to us, as the clouds of doubt and misunderstanding are dispelled from our minds at this glad season, we may exclaim with the angelic hosts: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"