Long ago the people of Israel awaited the promise of Christmas as well. God had promised them a Messiah, a special man who would free them from sin and restore each person's relationship with God. For hundreds of years, prophecies foretold the birth of this Messiah, prophecies that Jesus' birth fulfilled.

     The following passages from the Bible's Old Testament relate God's prophetic promises to His children. The New Testament passages, written centuries later, reveal the fulfillment of those promises. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). All people can rejoice that God faithfully kept His promise of Christmas.

The Lineage of Jesus

Old Testament Promise: The Messiah was to be a descendant of Abraham. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

Fulfillment: ...the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).

You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed' (Acts 3:25).

Old Testament Promise: The Messiah was to be a descendant of David. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:7).

Fulfillment: And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David (Luke 1:31-32).

Old Testament Promise: The Messiah was to be a member of the tribe of Judah. The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people (Genesis 49:10).

Fulfillment: ...the son of Judah (Luke 3:33).

Birthplace

Old Testament Promise: The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. 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, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).

Fulfillment: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king... (Matthew 2:1).

Unique Circumstances

Old Testament Promise: The Messiah would be born of a virgin. Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

Fulfillment: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18).

The Purpose of Jesus' Birth

Old Testament Promise: Isaiah 61:1-2 describes the ministry of the coming Messiah. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.

Fulfillment: [After Jesus read the above passage in the synagogue at Nazareth] He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing' (Luke 4:20-21).

May you rejoice in God's faithfulness this Christmas season.