Christmas day has arrived so given it is a global celebration (even if its meaning is quite often forgotten), here is today’s post to remember the birth of Jesus.
The story of Jesus’ birth links the past and the future. The circumstances of Jesus’ birth show He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6). He was called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15).
Jesus was born in a stable – the most humble of circumstances. Similarly, Jesus showed us how God’s favour rests with the poor and downtrodden. The Gentile wise men came to worship Jesus. Later, the Gentiles would make up most of the Christian world. Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion about 33 years later.
As we know from our Advent series and the reading from Isaiah 9:2 -7, Jesus’ birth and in particular v6b “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”, Jesus is now remembered with these titles and equally, promises and expectations to be fulfilled.
Unlike how it would have been understood 2700 years ago, we understand that peace through Jesus is not through the art of war but through the heart, love for one another and acts of compassion to all of society.
References
Isaiah 7:14. therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: a maiden is with child and she will bear a son, and will call his name Immanuel.
Micah 5:2. 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.
Hosea 11:1. When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.