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And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.¹

We celebrate Christmas as it reminds us of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Nevertheless, a more glorious celebration awaits! The baby grew up, was crucified, buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, all authority given to him.² The Old Testament prophets predicted about the coming Messiah. Statistically, it is almost improbable that 8 of those prophesies that are mentioned by Matthew (in the first two chapters of the book) actually happened to one person:

One, in Genesis we read that God promised Abraham an heir, physically from his own seed.³ Matthew begins, The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.⁴ Likewise, Paul writes, Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.⁵
 
Two, Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would be from the royal throne of David⁶ and Matthew confirms this lineage.⁷

Three, Isaiah wrote, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign, Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.⁸

Four, Micah said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.⁹

Five, Hosea described how God’s Son would be called out of Egypt.¹⁰

Six, Jeremiah mentioned that the infancy of the Messiah would be surrounded by grief and tragedy, Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”¹¹ Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all the region . . .¹²

Seven and eight, both Jeremiah and Isaiah referred to Christ as being a Nazarene (meaning Branch),¹³ which is where Jesus grew up¹⁴ And when Herod died, . . . And [Joseph] went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.¹⁵

As a people we are quite cynical and are slow to believe. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus they demanded a sign; none was given them.¹⁶ All that is necessary to know about Jesus has been revealed; and what has been written about him through Scripture is sufficient.¹⁷ Thus, we have all the more reason to hope and rejoice! Regardless of your circumstance, in the name of Jesus may you have a hope-filled 2022!