The Christmas Story, 2020
Christmas is a celebration of what the prophets claimed thousands of years ago, what happened 2,020 years ago, and what will happen in the future.
Long ago, there were prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. In fact, there are over 300 prophecies about a coming Messiah in the Old Testament. None clearly articulate Christ and his death on the cross to me more than Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, written over 500 years before Jesus was born.
Isaiah 53:5 – But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Psalm 22:16,17 – they have pierced my hands and feet, I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me;
Hundreds of years before his arrival, all the Old Testament prophets told about a coming Savior. Then, it happened. Christmas. The event which we celebrate today. The event that was foretold for hundreds of years before it happened.
Luke 2:7 – And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
After his birth, many recognized Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, but many didn’t. One of those who didn’t believe was governor Pontius Pilate, who ultimately gave the green light to crucify Jesus. Right before he was nailed to the cross, Jesus told Pilate –
John 18:37 – Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Jesus told Pilate that he came into the world to “bear witness to the truth.” He said that he came into the world to show that the Old Testament prophecies were true. Then, Jesus was hung on the cross.
After his death on the cross, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appears to a couple of guys saddened and perplexed by events of the day. Jesus had died on the cross and now his body was missing. The resurrected Jesus joins the conversation, explaining how he was the Messiah that was talked about in the Old Testament.
Luke 24:27 – And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
So, today, we celebrate the birth of the One that the entire Bible is about. We celebrate the birth of the Christ that the prophets talked about for thousands of years.
But, we also celebrate the future picture we are given in the Bible. We celebrate the One that is prophesied about in Heaven. The Lamb that sits on the throne.
Revelation 7:9, 10 – After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Today, we celebrate the life Christ has given us. We celebrate, and we wait.
Revelation 22:20 – He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Today, as you are reminded of the virgin birth, as you read the Christmas story, remember you celebrate the birth of the One that the message of the Bible is about. The Bible is a masterpiece of continuity. It is good news.
Merry Christmas.
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