One of the most radically awesome events in the history of mankind is celebrated this exciting season. The mind blowing embodiment of transcendence, the divine, holy and spotless God of the Universe, literally enters the world as an unborn baby. Jesus' determination to identify with mankind brings Him to the genesis of every human being, in the darkness of the womb. But unlike any man ever, this isn't the product of sexual reproduction but divine conception.
Prophecies fulfilled
Whatever God does is well done. It's therefore no surprise that an important event like Jesus' birth comes with the weight of prophetic decree. Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14 says "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel".
To peak everyone's interest even more, Isaiah chapter 9 goes on to describe the Messiah "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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever".
Wow! If you were living in that time, wouldn’t you want to find this child? It’s no wonder so many people were looking for Him! But when exactly could he be found? Daniel chapter 9 tells us that 483 years after the rebuilding of Jerusalem (dated 457 B.C. noted in Ezra chapter 9, verse 9) the chosen one would come.
Bible scholar Gleason L. Archer Jr., notes that this correlates to AD 27, the year Jesus' public ministry started. So the virgin birth and the time frame were prophesied. But where in the world should those watching for the Messiah look? Micah chapter 5, verse 2 points us to a specific town “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.”
As if that were not enough the prophet Isaiah zones in on a family line, pointing to the “root of Jesse” (Isaiah chapter 11). The wise men seemed to have been reading the prophetic texts and so were able to make much of the Lord's birth with gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold. They examined the biblical evidence, tracking the circumstances, the general time, the family line and the location specific information and brought gifts for Him and worshipped Him!
Our response
In light of the majesty of the moment and the prophetic declarations which preceded the coming of the Messiah, what ought we to do? The wise men got it right! This Christmas examine the prophecies that undergird the season. Desire Him! Search for the Christ of Christmas; and when you find Him, worship Him. That’s what Christmas is all about.
Dr. Daniel Thomas is a medical doctor and Christian Advocate who loves the Lord deeply. He currently leads a youth organization called the Love March Movement which is committed to empowering the youth to fight for sexual purity and the family in Jamaica.
Dr. Daniel Thomas is a medical doctor and Christian Advocate who loves the Lord deeply. He is married to Grace-ann Thomas the love of his life and currently leads a youth organization called the Love March Movement; which is committed to empowering the youth to fight for sexual purity and the family in Jamaica.