20 Dec Isaiah 9:1-7

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

The people who walk in darkness    
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,    
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,    
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you    
as people rejoice at the harvest    
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery    
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,    
just as you did when you destroyed the army
of Midian.
The boots of the warrior    
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.    
They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us,    
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.    
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace    
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the
throne of his ancestor David    
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of
Heaven’s Armies    
will make this happen!