Christmas

There are two events in human history which have made an eternal impact upon the human race; the birth of the Messiah and the resurrection of the Messiah. As Christians we celebrate His birth as the holiday of Christmas, while unbelievers celebrate Santa Claus, the ‘spirit of giving,’ the ‘holiday season’ and all the other variations we see.

Some people try to help regain our Christmas focus by proclaiming, “Jesus is the reason for the season!” This is absolutely true, but it’s also much more.

Faith in Christ is granted to those who hear the Spirit of God, read the Word of God, and believe (put into practice) what they hear and read. Christmas time is a great opportunity to renew our faith in the promise of a Redeemer. Below are just some of the prophecies concerning Christ, and how those prophecies were fulfilled in the birth we celebrate during the Christmas season.

• The Promise of a Messiah (Savior) for all of mankind;

Gen 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Gal 4:4-5

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

• What family He would come from;

Gen 12:3

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Luke 3:34

…the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham…

• What tribe He would come from;

Gen 49:10

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Heb 7:14

For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

• What house He would come from;

Jer 23:5-6

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. Now this is His name by which He will be called: “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Matt 1:1

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham

• What city He would be born in;

Mic 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

Matt 2:1-5

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet

• That He would be born of a virgin;

Isa 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isa 9:6-7

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Luke 1:26-35

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

• That the nations would bring Him gifts and, ultimately, honor Him;

Ps 72:10-11

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.

Matt 2:1-2; 10-11

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Christmas is the time of year we take to acknowledge not only ‘the spirit of giving,’ but the Gift Himself. May our heavenly Father bless you and grant you continued wisdom and grace as you seek Jesus, not just at Christmas time but throughout the year. He is the fulfillment of the greatest gift ever given! Always remember;

Wise men (and women) still seek Him!