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Foreign [Music]
This comes from the book of Isaiah, chapter nine.
Begin to get the first verse, please join me:
‘But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time, he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy. They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the trampling warrior in battle tumult, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born; to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.’
And from Isaiah, we turn to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1, beginning in verse 18.
Now, the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: when his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came