More than 700 years before the birth of the Savior, the people of Jerusalem were frightened. Their peace was threatened by a ruthless power from the north called Assyria, who was taking over country after country.

Judah’s neighbors, Ephraim and Syria to the north, were hastily forming political alliances to guard against the threat. Judah’s king, Ahaz, refused to join the alliance of his neighbors, choosing instead to bargain with Assyria directly for his nation’s safety. The kings of Ephraim and Syria were angered that Ahaz and Judah would not join them, and promised to invade their southern neighbor, and remove Ahaz as king.

Isaiah the prophet – he came to Ahaz and told him not to fear the two allied kings. ‘Don’t listen to them,’ he said. ‘Be at peace and trust the Lord.’ (Isaiah 7:4)

But the eminent political threat was too much for the doubting Ahaz. In his heart, he wouldn’t believe it. How could he? Their doom as a nation seemed sure in spite of Isaiah’s prophetic promises.

Well knowing that, Isaiah said to him – and you’ll recognize this – “Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” (Isaiah 7:11)

Well now, to seek signs of ourselves is evil, but when the Lord commands us to ask for one, it’s evil not to ask. Moreover, to be told that His sign can come from the depths of hell or the heights of Heaven, whatever and wherever he wants, must mean that God is very determined that this doubting man believe His promises.

Well, the stubborn Ahaz refused to ask. Isaiah was out of patience and disgusted with him and all his nation, and said the Lord would give him a sign anyway.

“…Behold,” he said, addressing himself now to all the nation of Judah, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means ‘God with us.’ (Isaiah 7:14) (Matthew 1:23)

Now think about it: A virgin bearing a son? That’s impossible! Yet, God did the impossible on that first Christmas when Jesus was born.

But now, wait a minute. Ahaz would not live to see that sign fulfilled; Christ would not be born for another 700 and some years. So why was it given? That’s the story – because this wasn’t just a sign to Ahaz, but to all the children of God that doubt Him and His promises. Every Christmas is a reminder that God did once and can do again the impossible.

Any of you that are listening to me that are troubled for any reason and seek peace need only look at the miracle of Christmas to awaken your sleeping faith.

Think about it: Ironically this is the season of the coldest weather, and yet for a time the warmest hearts. When Christmas comes, God is with us again – in our hearts, in our homes, and even in our music. One need only look how our world miraculously changes this time of year to know that Christ is still in Christmas.

Indeed, Christmas is an everlasting sign to a doubting world that God is still with us, and that He still loves us, and that He can still do the impossible, this time even for you.

Merry Christmas.