WEEK OF DECEMBER 26: THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
With Pastor Matt visiting family on 12/26/15 (and thus not preaching in Berlin), we are adjusting the blog posts for this week. Each day, a Scripture passage concerning the birth of Christ will be added to the comments below. Your insights and comments on the various passages are very much appreciated!
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 7:14 was quoted by Matthew in his Gospel:
Delete"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' -- which means, 'God with us.'" (Matthew 1:22-23)
In total, Jesus fulfilled more than 300 Old Testament 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
ReplyDelete"I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel." -Numbers 25:17a
ReplyDeleteThis passage comes from the fourth oracle of Balaam, who was most likely a pagan priest who made a living interpreting dreams, casting spells, and using trickery to predict the future.
DeleteIf we stop to consider this -- that the Lord used a pagan prophet to foretell the birth of Jesus -- it should serve strengthen our faith in His ability to use even the darkest of situations to bring about His glory.
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
ReplyDelete“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way—a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. -Mark 1:1-4
The word "messiah" comes from the Hebrew word "mashiach" and means “anointed one” or “chosen one.” The Greek equivalent is the word "Christos" or, in English, Christ.
DeleteIn biblical times, anointing someone with oil was a sign that God was consecrating or setting apart that person for a particular role.
You can read more about this at: http://www.gotquestions.org/what-does-Messiah-mean.html
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
ReplyDeleteMary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.” -Luke 1:26-33
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
ReplyDeleteSuddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” -Luke 2:8-14
Moved by the Spirit, [Simeon] went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying:
ReplyDelete“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” -Luke 2:27-32