10. Way back in Genesis 3:15, God promised the birth of Mary’s Son who would rule over the enemy:
“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
9 & 8. Isaiah prophesies the birth of Jesus in chapters 7 and 9…and centuries later his birth fulfilled every detail.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His nameImmanuel. (7:14)
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (9:6)
7. The small book of Micah the prophecy about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is found.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
3 Therefore He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has borne a child.
6 & 5. Powerful angels and humble shepherds use similar language to praise the arrival of Christ in Luke 2: 14 & 20:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among menwith whom He is pleased.”
The shepherds went back,
glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen,
just as had been told them.
4. In Matthew 2: 10–11, three wise men from the east also bow down and worship Jesus. Quite a fuss over a poor, humble babe.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother;
and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.
Then, opening their treasures,
they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
3. Then, in Luke 2: 29–30, Simeon responds as should all righteous believers waiting eagerly for Christ’s coming:
“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
2. In John, God reveals the reason for the birth of His Son in human flesh.
“For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,
but have eternal life.
1. My absolute favorite Christmas verse is a beautiful reminder of God’s propensity to partner with frail humans to accomplish his eternal purposes.
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Is there any mother’s heart that does not break to think of the joy and sorrow Mary’s baby will bring to her life? Is there any believing heart that doesn’t beat faster in anticipation of the coming of the King?
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