Ah, the joy of preaching Isaiah 9 when it’s not Christmas!  It’s interesting that the constant context of Christmas may actually keep us from hearing Isaiah 9.  Except for a few parishioners, most everyone is fairly happy at Christmas time and this makes it hard for us to understand the darkness of this paragraph.  The sermon’s purpose is derived from the explanation in vv. 6-7.  God tells us that the birth of the special child is the reason for the hope of increased joy for God’s people.  In order for us to experience the beginning of the fulfillment of increased joy (v. 3), we must be experiencing the rule of this child (notice the emphasis on “government” in vv. 6 and 7.  In other words, we must benefit from our Savior’s counsel, victory, care, and peace (v. 6).  Of course, in order for Jesus to function this way for Believers, He first suffered crucifixion before ascending to His Father’s throne.  On the Cross, Jesus suffered the yoke, staff, and rod of his oppressor (v. 4).