"Twas the greatest of gifts ever given,
When God gave us His only Son.
Jesus left all the splendour of heaven
To be born as a babe in a stall,
Though He knew that one day in His future
He would lay down His life for my sin,
Yet because of His love He was willing,
To be the greatest of gifts ever given."
Old Testament Prophecies about the Messiah
There are many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (Christ) coming to this world. Here are just a few:
He was promised as a descendant of Abraham and through Him all the nations would be blessed (Genesis 12v3 22v18).
He was to be descended from king David (Jeremiah 23v5+6).
Isaiah 7v14 tells us of His virgin birth and that He is Immanuel which means God with us. He is God and perfect Man.
In Isaiah 9v6 He is the child born, and the Son given. Christ is God the Son and lived eternally before Bethlehem. That's why it says He is the Son given. The child Jesus was born of Mary.
Micah 5v2 foretells that He would be born in Bethlehem
New Testament Fulfilment
In the New Testament his birth was foretold to Joseph and he is called Jesus which means Saviour (Matthew 1v21). He is the One who can save us from our sins.
The prophecy about His Virgin birth was fulfilled and He is God with us (Matthew 1v23).
Saviour, Christ the Lord
The angels announced His birth to the shepherds and called Him Saviour and Christ the Lord (Luke 2v1-20).
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
He was born in Bethlehem in Israel. He was a born a Jew, not a Palestinian. Always remember the Jews are God's chosen people through whom He sent our Saviour.
Only Begotten Son of God
He is the only begotten Son of God (John 3v16). God SO LOVED us that He gave His only begotten Son so that we could be saved from our sins and have everlasting life. There was no greater love, no greater gift.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
There is no greater sacrifice than Christ paying the full price for our sins when He died on the cross of Calvary. Let us be clear about this: Jesus was NOT murdered. No man could take His life from Him. He willing laid down His life for us and He had the power to rise again from the dead (John 10v17+18).
This Christmas, perhaps you would take time to think about the greatest gift ever given. Christ was no fake or imperfect gift to us. He is the Perfect Son of God, Christ the Lord our Only Saviour.
We cannot find the words to speak that can fully describe God's Greatest Gift to us but may we truly thank God from our hearts. (2 Corinthians 9v15)
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and every blessing throughout the New Year.