Advent: Faith in the Prophesies

 

Many years, the days before Christmas are so busy at school - parties, finals, projects, that I don’t really get to celebrate until we hit Christmas break. Admittedly, this is still my fault, so this year I decided to follow an Advent calendar and spend the Whole month of December remembering our Savior’s birth. It will be a series in the month of December.

The actual date of the birth of Christ will probably never be settled. Some say spring, some fall, others defend the current December 25 day. I have heard compelling arguments about each. Many Jewish rabbis and historians hold to the fall birth at the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. I find their argument very substantial. Adding to the discrepancies that our current Gregorian calendar has been tweaked and adjusted several times, we may never really know. I think what is most important that we remember it.

It does take some background information to appreciate. Without a knowledge of the prophecies about Christ the Messiah, nothing seems miraculous, and the actions of those involved may seem odd and/or out of place. There are many prophecies concerning the Messiah; I have only listed the few that will pertain to this series. And yes, AI was actually helpful this time.

Born of a Virgin: The prophet Isaiah declared that "the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). This was fulfilled when Mary, a virgin, conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, 23; Luke 1:31).

Born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 states, "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". Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, fulfilling this specific geographic prediction (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7).

Descendant of David: God promised King David that a descendant from his line would establish an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The New Testament genealogies in Matthew and Luke trace Jesus' lineage directly to David, confirming His royal heritage (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32).

Called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace": Isaiah 9:6 provided these descriptive names for the child who would be born, highlighting His divine nature and the nature of His reign. This was echoed by the angels' announcement of peace on earth at His birth (Luke 2:14).

Flight to Egypt: The prophet Hosea wrote, "Out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1). After His birth, Joseph was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape King Herod's order to kill all young boys in Bethlehem, thus fulfilling this prophecy (Matthew 2:13-15).

A Messenger to Prepare the Way: Isaiah 40:3 prophesied, "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God'". John the Baptist fulfilled this role, preaching repentance and preparing people's hearts for the coming of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-3).

Spend some time pondering these this week. I hope to add to their meaning in the weeks to come.