In my column last week, we considered the Christmas Story from a biblical perspective.
I endeavored to present and prove that the origin of the Christmas Story predated the actual birth of the Christ Child in Bethlehem. In a true sense, the foundation of the Christmas Story predated the creation of the angels, the material universe (earth included), creation, and fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
The Christmas Story was not an afterthought in the mind of the Triune God. It was a part of what God predetermined to bring about from the foundation of the world. It was determined by the Trinity that the Eternal Son of God would be incarnated in human form and thus become the Savior and Redeemer of humanity and the whole creation (Hebrews 10:5-10). So, the Christmas Story is about the Incarnation and First Advent of the God-man.
In this final installment, we are going to consider some of the major prophecies that were spoken by a few of the Old Testament prophets that were precisely fulfilled regarding the birth of the Christ Child.
One of the amazing prophecies contained in the Old Testament that is a definite part of the Christmas Story was recorded in the book of Psalms.
In Psalms 89:26-27, it was predicted that the Christ Child would be made the firstborn Son of the Father. Again, in the book of Psalms, the Christ Child is to be Deity and Lord (Psalms 110:1a). The Prophet Isaiah was the servant of God who spoke and confirmed the Birth of Christ and Christmas Story perhaps more clearly and to the point than any other.
First, he spoke and predicted that a virgin was going to conceive and bear a child. Furthermore, he said His name would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
Finally, he prophesied that the Christ Child would be born with a dual nature and be undiminished deity and 100% human at the same time, as the following passage confirms. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This passage shows that the humanity of Christ was conceived and born, whereas His undiminished deity that could never be born was given in His dual nature. Another Old Testament prophet prophesied the exact town where the element of the Christmas Story. Right here, want to include the passage that make this astounding prediction, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). Two important Messianic truths were revealed in the previous passage. First, where He would be born was pinpointed in that prophecy spoken by the Prophet Micah between 739-731 B.C. The amazing thing about the fulfillment of this prophecy was the fact that Joseph, the stepfather of the Christ Child and his pregnant wife, Mary, lived in Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The Sovereign Hand of God moved upon Caesar Augustus to pass a degree that all the Roman providence should be taxed. This was done to bring to fruition the prophecy that was spoken by Micah. This aspect of the Christmas Story is so fascinating that I want to include its New Testament Fulfillment. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. “(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:1-7).
Finally, the last clause of Micah 5:2 that states, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” confirms that the Christ Child is the Eternal Son of God in His undiminished deity. I hope that what I have presented to you regarding the Christmas Story has helped you to gain perspective.
In my conclusion, as you take precautionary measures against COVID-19, I wish you a safe and Merry Christmas. I look forward to sharing with you for the remainder of 2020 and throughout 2021.