Faith
Where is Jesus’ birth prophesied in the Old Testament?: By Dr. Dennis Malone
By Dr. Dennis Malone, Vice President of Distance Education at Champion Christian College
Most people in the western world enjoy the Christmas Holidays. I love the cool crisp changes in the weather, sometimes involving snow in the South. Who does not like turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, decorations in lights, and the exchange of gifts? Is that why we celebrate Christmas? Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Dedication, is celebrated in the same season. It commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 163 B.C. following the ousting of the harsh and evil rule of the Seleucids. By a miracle of God, a one-day supply of holy oil lasted 8 days until new oil was available. Chanukah occurs before Christian Christmas each year but they are not the same. Christmas is more than rededication for Christian believers.
Christmas, the event not the date, commemorates the birth of the promised Messiah in Bethlehem of Judea in 3-4 B.C. The heralded event was without fanfare in the nation. In fact, only certain groups of people were directly aware of the event and recorded it for history.
One of the amazing aspects of the event is that wise men from Persia (Magi) were aware of the indications in the alignment of the stars that signaled the momentous event. They searched the ancient writings to determine where the corresponding event occurred. No doubt, the Magi found the Hebrew Scriptures such as Isaiah 7:14 that proclaimed the event,
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Again in Isaiah 9:6–7,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
Micah 5:2 is a key scripture for the Magi saying,
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
It took approximately two years for the Magi to find the source information and travel to Judah. We know this because when the Magi stopped to pay homage to Herod, the presiding King of Judah, Herod ascertained what city (Bethlehem) and what time the Magi captured the alignment of the “King Star” in the heavens. This was the reason that Herod decreed that all the children in Bethlehem, two years of age and younger, be killed.
However, the story discloses how God was involved in the birth and protection of Messiah.
Mary, espoused to Joseph of Nazareth, received a visitation from and Angel of the Lord who revealed to her that she would conceive a son by the will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–38). An Angel in a dream confirmed this to Joseph (Matt 1:18–25). While Mary was progressing in her pregnancy, Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that “all the world would be registered.” The declared census was providential as Joseph and Mary would leave Nazareth in Galilee and travel to Bethlehem in Judea, his ancestral home where scripture had declared the Messiah would emanate.
It was customary for family to reside with extended family when on such a journey. Upon arriving, Mary was ready to birth the Messiah, but there was no room for them in the guest chamber or quarters (kataluma - Greek). Houses of that day had guest chambers and rooms beneath the living quarters for food storage and for animals. During the colder days and nights, the warmth of the animals would add comfort to the house. It was in these animal quarters that the hosts prepared a place for Mary, Joseph, and the baby Messiah.
Another amazing aspect of the story is that angels announced the birth to shepherds attending their sheep in the hillside near Bethlehem. No pomp and ceremony or stately announcements were made to anyone but to shepherds who found the birth location and paid their homage. This announcement to shepherds has a unique connection to Ezekiel 34 where the prophet declares that God will raise up true shepherds for the people. God entrusted this momentous announcement to shepherds in the hillside! Afterward, the shepherds share the good news to others in the area (Luke 2:8–21).
Two years later the Magi appear in Bethlehem to pay homage and find a ‘paidion’, a young child. The Magi bow in worship and present special gifts fit for a king: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1–12). Angels warned Joseph to flee Herod’s aggression by route to Egypt. Following Herod’s death, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned from Egypt to Nazareth where Jesus grows in stature and wisdom before the commencement of his ministry, later his death by crucifixion, and then his resurrection.
Isaiah stated, “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11
Christmas is more than dedication or rededication. It is more than commemoration of the birth of the Messiah. Christmas commemorates the confirmation of God’s care and provision for all humanity by the giving the Messiah to free humanity from the chains of sin, shame, and guilt. Christmas reminds us of the gift of life received through the unfolding of God’s great plan to restore all creation. Let us rejoice and celebrate the God of Christmas!