With Christmas season at its peak, I find it helpful to remind myself of why I am celebrating. If I don’t stop and do this I can easily get caught up in the world’s rush and forget the One who I need to be honoring! A great way for me is, reading the prophecy of Christ, in the Old Testament and following it up with the fulfillment in the New Testament. This is powerful in strengthening my faith and my foundation in Christ! Isaiah chapter nine is something that is heard a lot during Christmas, so I think it is appropriate to start with that section of scripture:
Isaiah 9:1-7 To Us a Child Is Born
1) Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan- 2) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4) For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5) Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6) 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. 7) Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Within those verses three prophecies were given. The first one being, “Light out of darkness,” (verses 1-2) which was fulfilled in Matt.4:14-16 and Luke 2:32. The second prophecy, “Son to be given,” (verse 6) which was fulfilled in John 3:16. And the final one given is, “Government on His shoulders” (verse 6) was fulfilled in Matt.28:18 and 1Cor.15:24-25
Another popular portion of Christmas scripture is:
Isaiah 7:13-14 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
The prophecy given here was, “Born of a virgin. This was fulfilled in, Matt.1:22-23, Luke 1:27-35.
Next:
Isaiah 8:8-10 and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, O Immanuel!” Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. AND also within the verse above, Isaiah 7:14, you will find the prophecy of “Immanuel, God with us”. Which was fulfilled in Matt. 28:18, John 14:8-10 & 14:19 and Col. 2:9.
A fitting way to end this Devotional is with the birth place of Christ. Prophesied in Micah 5:1-5 and then fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-6 and Luke
2:4,10-11. Micah 5:1-5 A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem :
Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod. “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.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD , in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his
greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
Matthew 2:1-6 The Visit of the Magi
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'”
Luke 2:4,10-11 4) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Isn’t that powerful stuff, don’t you feel refocused? That is what our God did for us through His Son, Jesus Christ! Humbling entering the world to fulfill prophecy and saving us! May God bless and keep you throughout the Christmas holiday and may you and I both, continue to stay focused on the Reason we celebrate!
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