Prophecies Of Christmas

We all know about the town of Bethlehem and we are used to hearing the name of Bethlehem. This morning we sang the song, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” we have heard of this town ever since we were old enough to understand the Christmas story. But 2,000 years ago, Bethlehem was not a very well known place. It was similar to being from a small town, like Vilonia, Arkansas. When you are asked where you live and you reply Vilonia, what is the next question? “Where is that?” You not only have to tell where Vilonia is located you usually have to spell it for them as well. Bethlehem was like that, it was a pretty obscure little country town, so obscure in fact that he has to tell us what Bethlehem he is talking about! He says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah,” or the Bethlehem by Jerusalem.

Micah proclaimed that the Messiah would

come from Bethlehem...but a week before Christ’s birth, Mary was still in Nazareth... 80 miles away from Bethlehem... And in a day where they walked everywhere they went, that was a long way.

But God was in control and He took care of that. Caesar Augustus order a census be taken, and this census required that Joseph be register in the city of his families roots (David’s).... Bethlehem.

So Mary and Joseph at just the right time made the four day journey to Bethlehem. As we have seen Bethlehem was to the world a small insignificant village full of blue collar workers, nothing special... But Bethlehem was significant and the thing that made it special and the reason we still sing about Bethlehem today is, that Jesus Christ was there.

Even more amazing than the prophecy of the location of the Savior birth is that his “goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” That is that this One, who was to come, is like God, He is eternal. The word “everlasting” means infinite or timeless in duration and refers to Christ eternality. The prophecy clearly predicts that the existence of Christ predates the creation of the Universe. God the Son, became God-man when he was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea (Isa. 9:6, John 1:1, 14).

Conclusion

Let’s make today’s message personal. Isa.

7:14 said, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.¨ I want us to l look at a couple of truths in closing.

First and foremost, God is always faithful to His word. All of those comforting promise verses you read when you need help or have lost hope ...you can be assured that those promises made by God, will be kept.

Second, Jesus was God coming to you as a man. You could not save yourself, but God loved you enough to come to you. Jesus came to set you free from the curse of sin. The gift God gave in Jesus was a gift of hope, a gift of freedom, a gift of salvation. This gift is PERSONAL. IT IS FOR YOU! Catch that? For all people. The Hebrew word “you” in Isaiah 7:14 is plural and means all of you! Do you remember what the angel said to the shepherds who were watching their flocks by night? In announcing the birth of Jesus, Luke 2:10: “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.¨