The Wonder of CHRISTmas
When man reaches out to God, we call it religion.
When God reaches out to man, we call it CHRISTmas.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. -- Isaiah 9:6
She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” -- Matthew 1:21
Pastor Peter Tan-Chi once said CHRISTmas is the best time to tell people, our friends, colleagues and loved ones about the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ. That more than two thousand years ago, God thought of us.
The Bible have an exhaustive list of prophecies of the coming of Messiah from the Old Testament(written 1,000 years even before Jesus was born) fulfilled by Jesus Christ in New Testament. Bible scholars discuss the statistical improbability of one man fulfilling just eight of these prophecies is 1 in 1017 power in short humanly impossible.
| 44 Messianic Prophecies of Jesus | |||
| Prophecies of Jesus | Old Testament Scripture | New Testament Fulfillment | |
| 1 | Messiah would be born of a woman. | Genesis 3:15 | Matthew 1:20 Galatians 4:4 |
| 2 | Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6 |
| 3 | Messiah would be born of a virgin. | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31 |
| 4 | Messiah would come from the line of Abraham. | Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18 | Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5 |
| 5 | Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac. | Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 | Luke 3:34 |
| 6 | Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob. | Numbers 24:17 | Matthew 1:2 |
| 7 | Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. | Genesis 49:10 | Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14 |
| 8 | Messiah would be heir to King David's throne. | 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7 | Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3 |
| 9 | Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal. | Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 | Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12 |
| 10 | Messiah would be called Immanuel. | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23 |
| 11 | Messiah would spend a season in Egypt. | Hosea 11:1 | Matthew 2:14-15 |
| 12 | A massacre of children would happen at Messiah's birthplace. | Jeremiah 31:15 | Matthew 2:16-18 |
| 13 | A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah | Isaiah 40:3-5 | Luke 3:3-6 |
| 14 | Messiah would be rejected by his own people. | Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3 | John 1:11 John 7:5 |
| 15 | Messiah would be a prophet. | Deuteronomy 18:15 | Acts 3:20-22 |
| 16 | Messiah would be preceded by Elijah. | Malachi 4:5-6 | Matthew 11:13-14 |
| 17 | Messiah would be declared the Son of God. | Psalm 2:7 | Matthew 3:16-17 |
| 18 | Messiah would be called a Nazarene. | Isaiah 11:1 | Matthew 2:23 |
| 19 | Messiah would bring light to Galilee. | Isaiah 9:1-2 | Matthew 4:13-16 |
| 20 | Messiah would speak in parables. | Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10 | Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35 |
| 21 | Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted. | Isaiah 61:1-2 | Luke 4:18-19 |
| 22 | Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. | Psalm 110:4 | Hebrews 5:5-6 |
| 23 | Messiah would be called King. | Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9 | Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11 |
| 24 | Messiah would be praised by little children. | Psalm 8:2 | Matthew 21:16 |
| 25 | Messiah would be betrayed. | Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13 | Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16 |
| 26 | Messiah's price money would be used to buy a potter's field. | Zechariah 11:12-13 | Matthew 27:9-10 |
| 27 | Messiah would be falsely accused. | Psalm 35:11 | Mark 14:57-58 |
| 28 | Messiah would be silent before his accusers. | Isaiah 53:7 | Mark 15:4-5 |
| 29 | Messiah would be spat upon and struck. | Isaiah 50:6 | Matthew 26:67 |
| 30 | Messiah would be hated without cause. | Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 | John 15:24-25 |
| 31 | Messiah would be crucified with criminals. | Isaiah 53:12 | Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28 |
| 32 | Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. | Psalm 69:21 | Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30 |
| 33 | Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced. | Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10 | John 20:25-27 |
| 34 | Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. | Psalm 22:7-8 | Luke 23:35 |
| 35 | Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's garments. | Psalm 22:18 | Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36 |
| 36 | Messiah's bones would not be broken. | Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 | John 19:33-36 |
| 37 | Messiah would be forsaken by God. | Psalm 22:1 | Matthew 27:46 |
| 38 | Messiah would pray for his enemies. | Psalm 109:4 | Luke 23:34 |
| 39 | Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side. | Zechariah 12:10 | John 19:34 |
| 40 | Messiah would be buried with the rich. | Isaiah 53:9 | Matthew 27:57-60 |
| 41 | Messiah would resurrect from the dead. | Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15 | Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32 |
| 42 | Messiah would ascend to heaven. | Psalm 24:7-10 | Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51 |
| 43 | Messiah would be seated at God's right hand. | Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1 | Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44 |
| 44 | Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. | Isaiah 53:5-12 | Romans 5:6-8 |
Source: ThoughCo.
More than the fancy wrapped gifts, savory food in the table, family gatherings and festivities, let us not forget that CHRISTmas begins with Christ. The abounding grace of God to humankind through His Son Jesus, born of a virgin birth, lived a holy life, died on the cross and on the third day rose again to defeat death. So that just like Jesus, everyone who believes in Him will conquer death and have eternal life with God.
As believers, CHRISTmas is one of the best seasons to share about Jesus. The greatest story ever told about the greatest being who solve the greatest problem of mankind.
Have a blessed CHRISTmas everyone. May the love, peace and grace of God abound in your life.
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