Jesus…

Every year I want to write a Christmas post, but I’ve always had way too much to do to prepare for the holidays… baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating (I LOVE to decorate my entire house) and traveling to visit family.

But this year, I’ve had to forgo two of my favorite things to do at Christmas time: decorating and baking.

My husband convinced me to at least put up the Christmas tree even if I didn’t decorate every room in the house as in previous years. So, I agreed and only put up the tree with the angel on top with none of my favorite ornaments. We also put the Christmas wreath on the door. That was it for this year.

Another item scratched off the to do list for 2021 was baking. I love to bake goodies for my family, but this year, I decided to order pastries from a fabulous Italian pastry shop near my hometown. I realized it was less expensive in terms of time and money than for me to buy the ingredients and make them myself. The love factor may not be in the purchased baked goods, but the pressure it eliminated was well worth it. I also recognized no one really cared if they were purchased or homemade. What was important was the people surrounding us during the holidays.

While my heart lamented, as it got closer to Christmas, I was less stressed and able to enjoy the holiday more.

Because the entire year had been one of tremendous stress to begin with, spending time with family was more important than ever before. This year we lost the matriarch of our family, so it’ll be a poignant Christmas. Sadly, because of the virus, some have chosen to not travel and stay home. And that’s OK. We will be together at other times of the year, and we can still face time.

But more important than anything, I was able to focus my thoughts on the Reason For The Season…

Jesus came to earth on a chilly night. A star led the way to the tiny baby with only shepherds and farm animals to herald his coming. He was swaddled in a manger most likely made of stone. The Messiah was fully God and fully man. A mystery we, as humans, cannot fathom. According to the sermon on the mount. we are blessed because we believe without seeing.

Prophets predicted his birth long before Jesus was born in that tiny hamlet. He fulfilled at least three hundred prophecies during his earthly ministry. Here are a few he fulfilled at his birth.

Jesus would be Born of the Family of Jesse and of the House of David

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1 (NKJV)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. Jeremiah 23:5 (NKJV)

Jesus Would be Born of a Virgin in Bethlehem

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (NKJV)

Jesus Would be Filled with Power, Peace, and the Spirit from Birth

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18 (NKJV)

A Star Would Point the Way Towards Jesus, the Christ

“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult. Numbers 24:17 (NKJV)

Jesus Would be Worshipped by Shepherds

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. Luke 2:8-12 (NKJV)

Kings would Present Gifts to Jesus

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles
Will bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba
Will offer gifts.
Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
All nations shall serve Him. Psalm 72:10-11(NKJV)

An Angelic Dream would Direct Jospeh to escape with Mary and Jesus to Egypt.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son. Hosea 11:1 (NKJV)

There Would be a Great Sorrow Surrounding the Time of His Birth and Many Children Would be Killed

Thus says the Lord:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted for her children,
Because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15 (NKJV)

As we celebrate this wondrous day, I want to focus more on Jesus and what he did for me… and for you.

May you have a blessed Christmas filled with joy and peace, knowing the prophecies surrounding his birth give us the assurance that we may live with him in eternity.