We celebrate the birth of Jesus at this time of year. Over the next few weeks, I want to focus on the four themes of Advent and connect the Christmas story.
The setting is heaven. God the Father, His Spirit, and His Son, Jesus, are watching over their creation and know that soon evil will come in and forever separate them from their relationship with His image bearers. But he has a plan. It will require a perfect, sinless sacrifice.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
This verse is the first prophecy that reveals God’s plan and offers hope to His children.
After God freed the nation of Israel from Egypt and they settled in the Promised Land, God spoke through prophets and foretold the coming Messiah.
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son and call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
God’s promise of hope would come through a young virgin as a divine, miraculous birth.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Come back to the scene in heaven.
The Father and Son discuss the plan.
The Father:
“Son, do you understand the plan? To save people from sin and have eternal life with us, you will need to be a sacrifice for them.”
The Son:
“Yes, I will leave this and do your will.”
The Father:
“OK, son. Here are the details. We will prepare a young girl who will trust us and be willing to bear the shame of a pregnancy out of wedlock. She will be humble in spirit, and we will bless her among all women.”
The Father continues:
“The place of your birth will be where King David was born, and I made a covenant with him. A city that, to men, will seem small and insignificant. I will also place a new star in the heavens to guide wise men to the city, and they will worship you.”
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2
Jesus’s birth was foretold centuries before it happened. God’s promise of a Savior, spoken through the prophets, would bring hope to a world lost in sin.
These prophecies were not just predictions but divine promises that point to God’s faithfulness and His plan for salvation.
The prophecies were fulfilled with the Birth of Jesus, and Immanuel, God with us, gave the world lost in sin hope.
Come back next week when I share the second theme of Advent, peace.
To help you draw closer to God, I have created a Birth of Jesus Devotional. May it be a blessing to you during this Christmas season!
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.3.15
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.7.14
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.9.6
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MIC.5.2
