As we enter the Advent season, I’m struck by the awe-inspiring way God intricately weaves the story of Jesus throughout the entire Old Testament. For 400 years after the last prophet spoke, God remained silent. But this wasn’t divine absence—it was divine anticipation building toward the most pivotal moment in human history.
Consider this: over 300 Messianic prophecies, written centuries before Jesus’ birth, meticulously painted an impossibly specific portrait of the coming Savior. He would be born in tiny Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to a virgin mother (Isaiah 7:14). He would be betrayed for exactly thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13). Even the manner of his death was foretold; crucifixion was described in Psalm 22 nearly 800 years before this method of execution was even invented.
The Gospel writers, Matthew, Luke, and John, each brought a unique perspective to their accounts of Jesus’ birth. A former tax collector, Matthew wrote primarily for a Jewish audience, carefully documenting Jesus’ lineage and prophetic fulfillment. Luke, a physician, provided precise historical details for his Greek readers. And John, known for his poetic style, revealed Christ’s eternal nature:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him” – John 1:1-3.
But despite all these indicators, many still missed Him. Why? Because they had already decided what kind of Messiah they wanted—a political liberator, a conquering king. They couldn’t see past their preconceptions to recognize God-with-us in the form of a baby born to peasant parents.
Do you realize that’s how we sometimes approach God today? Many will use their view of God to justify their political agendas and personal desires. They shape God into an image that reinforces their existing beliefs rather than allowing their beliefs to be shaped by the true nature of Christ.
This manger birth reveals three unchanging truths about God’s character:
First, God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Mary and Joseph weren’t powerful or prestigious—they were a young girl and a carpenter. Yet God chose them to raise His Son. This reminds us that God can and does work through anyone—and yes, that includes us—when we are willing to say “yes” to His plan.
Second, God always has a plan. Long before creation, He planned to send Jesus as our Savior. The gospel—the good news—isn’t just a religious system but an invitation to a relationship with God through Christ. As Paul wrote to the Romans, this good news was promised through the prophets and centered entirely on God’s Son (Romans 1:2-4). It’s a message of hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life for all who believe.
Finally, God always keeps His promises. Every prophecy about Jesus’ first coming was fulfilled with remarkable precision. This gives us unwavering confidence in the promises about His return.
You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ, the Morning Star, shines in your hearts” – 2 Peter 1:19.
As we celebrate and journey through Advent, let’s remember that the baby in the manger wasn’t just fulfilling ancient prophecies—He was fulfilling God’s eternal plan to rescue us. In the words of Paul,
When the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children” – Galatians 4:4-5.
Don’t let preconceptions or skepticism cause you to miss who Jesus really is. The historical evidence, prophetic fulfillment, and transformed lives throughout history all point to one incredible truth: that child in the manger was and is exactly who He claimed to be—Immanuel, God with us, the Savior of the world.