1. The Seed of the Woman
The birth of Christ was announced in the Garden of Eden when man fell. God told Satan (the serpent) that the “seed of the woman will bruise your head”. Satan knew there was Someone coming who would redeem mankind and bruise his head.
This prophecy also tells us that the promised Messiah would be born into the world by a woman. This means the Messiah was not going to suddenly appear one day on the Earth one day. Instead, He would leave the glories of Heaven and “become like man”:
Philippians 2:6-8 “[Jesus], although being essentially one with God and in the form of God, did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant, in that He became like men and was born a human being. 8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!”
2. A Descendant of Abraham and King David, of the Tribe of Judah
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the Son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1
Priests and scribes throughout days of the Old Testament kept very detailed records of descendants. Today, we might be tempted to skip through them when we read the Scripture, but the genealogies were an important and crucial part of proving Jesus was the Messiah.
Abraham: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you” Genesis 12:3
Tribe of Judah: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come, and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” Genesis 49:10
David: “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16)
This tells us that the Messiah would be Jewish (of the seed of Abraham), that He would be of the tribe of Judah (Judah means Praise!), and would be a descendant of King David. Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David. Jesus’ is indeed of the seed of Abraham, the One whom all the nations of the world is blessed, He is the lion of the tribe of Judah and at His return shall rule the nations with a Rod of Iron, He is the one whom all nations will obey, He is the heir to the throne of David; our Messiah!
3. Born of A Virgin
“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Matt 1:18
He was not just born of any woman, He was born of a virgin woman fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
The virgin birth is extremely significant. It meant He was the “seed of the woman” that would crush the enemy, He was the One that the prophets spoke of who would redeem man; it meant that though Jesus was 100% man, He was also 100% God!
4. Born in Bethlehem
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)
Bethlehem was a small, insignificant town at the time. It was not the center of political, economic or religious power. The only reason the average person knew of it is because it was the birthplace of King David. That’s where Jesus was born, and was placed in a manger. A manger was a feeding trough for animals. Sheep, among other animals would eat from them.
“He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:7
Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in the most humble of circumstances. He was not born in a palace, a temple, or some place exclusive. He was born in a lowly place that everyone could access! Today, we all have access to Jesus, we can all come to Him and eat of Him. He is our Bread of Life and our Living Water!
5. A Child is Born, a Son is given
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end…”
His Name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God! Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords. He is the Light of the World, Prince of Peace, Son of David, The Firstborn, and Head of the Church. Our Friend, our Bridegroom, our Advocate, Our High Priest, Our Brother, Our King, Judge and Lord! The Author and Finisher of our Faith, the Resurrection and the Life, Alpha and Omega. He is JESUS! He lived, He died, He rose again and lives forevermore! And He’s coming back for His Bride!
Phil 2:8-11 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.