Long before the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, His birth was prophesied of. In Isaiah 7, the Lord spoke unto Ahaz, when an amazing prophesy was given. It started with the Lord asking him a question. He desired that Ahaz ask him for a sign. 1“Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” His response was, 1“I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.” God’s responded with a warning. 1“Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?” This man was receiving an offering from God and he wouldn’t take it. In all this, the Lord still prophesied. 1“The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” It was revealed that a very special boy would be born in due time. It wasn’t until Isaiah prophesied in the next chapter, Isaiah 8, that he understood the meaning of the baby. The baby was none other than the Lord most high. Isaiah spoke of the Lord, 2“And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.” He instructed the people to 2“take counsel together” for 2“God is with us.” What an amazing prophecy of the birth of Immanuel and how his name means 3“God with us”.
The prophesy of the Lord’s birth, in Isaiah 7 and 8, was fulfilled in Matthew 1. The wait was finally over. The birth of the Messiah had finally come to pass. Matthew wrote, 3“now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoulordsed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” An Angel of the Lord spoke unto Joseph, 3“and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The Lord’s birth had a very special purpose and that was the Savior’s intention to die for the sins of the world. What a glorious day to have the Savior of the world be born to save us all. Matthew continues his writing, 3“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” And just like that, the prophesy was fulfilled. Just like the prophesy of old, Immanuel was born. Since he was born, God is with us. He carried forth His message in Jerusalem and now to all the world, through us. As His disciples proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, we also proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He has come to save us from our sins. Thank You Lord.
Let us pray:
Lord, I am humbled to even speak about Your amazing birth. Surely the Angels sang out in praise, the day You were born. All the day long, trumpets sounded the birth of their King. Immanuel, Immanuel is born. God is with us. Jesus our Savior is here to save us. This day was no ordinary day. It has become the greatest day of all the earth. On Christmas, Lord, we remember your glorious birth. We come in worship and praise. We offer our lives to follow You. We sing hallelujah for You have come to save us from our sins. Thank You Lord for coming into the world. My Lord, my God, You have come. I am grateful to think on You, this day. My heart races just to think about what You have done for all mankind. And it all started in a little stable. Your birth will be forever remembered. Nations will forever praise Your holy Name. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Isaiah 7:10-16 (KJV)
10 Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
2Isaiah 8:7-10 (KJV)
7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
9 Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
3Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
