It’s December which means it’s time for a Christmas Advent! For the next 3 1/2 weeks we will be covering different topics related to the birth of Christ and the hope it brings us. This week we are looking at the promises linked with His birth.
Day 1: A Promised Birth
From the beginning the Messiah was promised to come. The prophets of the Old Testament promised a baby as it is written in (Isaiah 9:6) born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) who would come to be the Savior of men. Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of a promise made thousands of years earlier.
The promise of Christ’s birth is fulfilled in a stable in the small town of Bethlehem when a young, virgin gives birth to the Savior of the world. Although the rest of the world was silent, the angels proclaimed the birth of the Savior, “who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Day 2: The Promise to Mary
An angel was sent to meet a young, unmarried woman to inform her of a baby that would change the world. Although she was an unlikely candidate to us, God chose her to bring the Savior into the world. She is promised a baby, a son in fact, who would be called the Son of the Most High.
Although the road would not be easy, she trusts in the Word of God saying “let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)” and praises the Lord for entrusting her this incredible responsibility (Luke 1:46-55).
Day 3: A Promise to Joseph
All Joseph knew was that Mary, his betrothed, was now pregnant. His only solution was to quietly divorce her. Then an angel came to ensure him that the baby was of God. With his hope restored, he followed the instructions, and named the baby Jesus.
Although the child would not be his own, he followed the word of God and stayed by Mary’s side. He raised a child that was not his own because he understood the honor it was to be the earthly father to the Savior.
Day 4: A Promised Life
The prophesied life of the Savior was one of sorrow and pain. He was not guaranteed a long comfortable life, but one of pain and sorrow. His people hated Him, His friend betrayed Him, and He was killed by the people He came to save.
Even so,
He came,
He suffered,
He died, all for us.
Day 5: A Promised Death
A baby born to die, Christ came into this world knowing what awaited him. He would live just a little over 30 years, spreading love, teaching, and caring for the lost. He would be wrongfully sentenced to death and lead to a cross.
He was to bear all of our sins so that we may have passage into God’s kingdom. The brutality and pain of His death is spelled out here in Isaiah 53, and yet He came.
Day 6: Promises Fulfilled
Just as the prophets proclaimed, a baby was born to a young woman in Bethlehem. He came. He taught, He healed, He was rejected, He was beaten, and He was crucified, all for our sake.
He bore our sins on the cross and redeemed us all. The promises from long before were fulfilled through Christ and now we can look forward to the day when we are joined together with Him in heaven.
Day 7: Our Eternal Promise
Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for our sins gave us a promised place in His kingdom for eternity. No matter what we may have done or will do, nor what others may try to do to us, we will forever be redeemed through the blood of Christ. Christ’s redemption is full and complete for all those who will accept it.
