.png)
CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
Likely, most of you have already made Christmas plans. We decorate, plan visits and menus, and especially prepare gifts for those we love.
God did this too. He sent His gift for each of us. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.
The very first biblical reference to Jesus is in Genesis 3:15. Her seed is a reference to Jesus and to His sacrificial death that will end the curse of sin, providing salvation for us. Satan carelessly thought he could eradicate Jesus by the crucifixion, but it was only a “bruise on His heel.”
Amazingly, there are many prophecies in the Old Testament that inform us about this coming gift — Jesus, the Messiah. One prophecy from the Old Testament calls Jesus Immanuel, “God with us.”
Isaiah the prophet wrote nearly 600 years before Jesus’ birth. Do you think his contemporaries believed what he said, or did they tire of believing and doubt? Did they just slack off and ignore him?
It’s a good thing Isaiah had holy boldness to speak, for he did so with great faith and confidence.
In Isaiah 7:14, he said, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son and name Him Immanuel.”
John 1:14 confirms this: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus became human, with a body like ours, as the Incarnation. He submitted to the limitations of humanity, with human needs and sensations.
At a very specific time, a time appointed by God alone, Jesus became something new and different, never seen before. But remember, studies also confirm that although Jesus was in a new and different form, He never ceased to be what He always was.
It’s humbling to realize He chose to do this for us.
Isaiah recorded five things about the Deliverer — the coming Messiah: He would be born (Isaiah 9:6): A child, a son, a covenant promise to Israel and for us.
His birth is a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14).
He would rule (Micah 5:2; Zechariah 14:9).
His descriptive names reveal His character (Isaiah 9:6): Wonderful, exceptional, distinguished, counselor. People will gladly listen to him; Mighty God: Messiah will be God; and Everlasting Father.
The zeal of Almighty God would accomplish this.
I pray God will enrich and enlarge our faith to believe and proclaim Jesus this Christmas season.
Like Isaiah, may we proclaim boldly, praising God for His incarnation. Until next week, Anita
Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
