In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.
In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant which is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. Isaiah 11:10–11 (RSV)
The history of God's people is one of rebellion, fall, repentance, and restoration. The uprising began when Adam and Eve chose themselves as God and lost the Garden. So it ran throughout the ages, God calling, a faithful people responding, and over time turning away.
God let the consequences of their sin play out. Time and again, they were enslaved, conquered by foreign empires, surrendered their faith for other gods, and were carried off into exile.
God never gave up on His people. He sent judges and prophets to warn them, calling for repentance and a return to the Lord. At times, it worked. The people set aside their sins and were restored. Yet, the pattern repeated itself. A new generation would rise, forgetting the Lord and established themselves as the pinnacle of creation. The cycle would repeat, and over the generations, the people would found themselves in foreign lands, barely remembering their God and their home.
Still, the prophet's announced the promise. The Messiah will come and scattered Israel will return to Israel to bless God promised Abraham. In the fulness of time, Jesus was born as the Light of Father incarnate, drawing all to Himself.
Like Israel, we turn from the Lord, seeking our way as we alone were good and wise. We have yet to be the Church the Holy Spirit created us to be. Jesus is the sign by which all the words of the prophets come to pass. Jesus is the Head of the Living Body that is the Church. As we celebrate His birth, come anew to Him to leave behind all that is not Christ.