This is the time of year when we hear the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth in the town of Bethlehem. We know how long ago it has been since Jesus’ birth because our calendars count the years since “the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” thus approximately 2,018 years ago.
But did you know that about 700 years before Jesus’ birth , God inspired the prophet Micah to write the following prophecy: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2. And when King Herod, hearing of a potential rival “king,” asked the chief priests and scribes where this new king would be born, they answered: “in Bethlehem,” quoting the prophet Micah.
Jesus is called by many names including “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace” and “Immanuel.” But did you know that over 700 years before his birth , God had inspired his prophet Isaiah to write the following prophecies: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”, Isaiah 9:6, and: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
And to confirm the proper interpretation of Isaiah’s prophecies, the Gospel writer Matthew states of Jesus’ birth: “All this took place to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel," which means "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23. Yes, the Almighty God himself, the second person of the Trinity, took on human flesh in the “incarnation” to be with us in human form, true God and true man.
I share these few of many examples of God-inspired and revealed prophecies because it seems that fewer and fewer people today read the Bible - or are even aware of these many convincing evidences for Jesus being the one and only true messiah/savior of the world. Coincidences? Hardly. Myths? Not a chance.
ADVERTISEMENT
And why is this so important? Because of the other sure prophecies and promises of Jesus also found in God’s revealed word. Among these is the message given to Joseph by the angel stating: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” John 3:16 declares: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
And so now may faith in this same Jesus be our sure reason for celebrating not only the season - but also our sure hope for the future, both while still here on earth and throughout eternity. A Merry and Blessed Christmas to all!
