In Isaiah 9:6 we read “For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders.” In Isaiah 7:14 the prophet wrote, “Therefore, the LORD HIMSELF will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name Him Immanuel.” Folks, this prophecy was given 700 years before Christ was born.
Mary was a virgin. She had not been sexually involved with a man. Her conception was miraculous. It was accomplished by the Holy Spirit. So, when Christ was born, He did not have a tainted nature as we do. He was the holy Child of God, come to seek and to save the lost.
The name Immanuel literally means “God with us.” How blessed we are He came to abide or dwell with us. In Micah 5:2 that prophet wrote over 500 years before Christ was born —” Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity to eternity.” Bethlehem means ‘House of Bread.’ Jesus Christ is the bread of life, that truly satisfies our deepest hunger. He is the water of life that quenches our deepest thirst. He is the Light of the world, who gives light to our paths and invites us to walk here in safety. He is the Prince of Peace that calms the storms in our lives and blesses us with His perfect peace.
This special child born of a virgin grew up and worked in His adoptive father’s carpenter shop. He was known as ‘the carpenter’s son’ for thirty years. Then He began His public ministry, going from place to place sharing the good news as to who He was and why He had come – “To seek and to save the lost”. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 that Christ died (voluntarily) on Calvary’s cross to atone for our sin. By His sacrifice and shed blood, we are reconciled to God. “He (God) made the One who did not know sin (Jesus) to be sin (or a sin offering) for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. A great exchange takes place when we receive Christ into our lives. He has already paid for our sins by dying in our place and for us on the cross. We receive His righteousness. It is credited to our account. Folks, that is huge!
I pray that each of us will truly be focused on our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, this Christmas, more than anyone or anything else.
Have a blessed Christmas,
Pastor Leonard
