Prophecy About His Birth

The Messiah would be virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; ultimately fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-25)

The Messiah would be divine (Isaiah 9:6—notice the names of God!)

The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matthew 2:1)

Events Surrounding His Birth

Unfortunately, we know relatively little about the birth of Jesus. The majority of the accounts are in Matthew and Luke’s gospels, and are usually heard around Christmas. But the birth of Jesus is important throughout the year!

• An angel announced His birth to Mary (Luke 1:26)

• A census was ordered by the government, requiring Joseph to take his young wife to the town of his forefathers—Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-6)

• He was laid in a manger, or feed trough--there was not even a room for them in the Inn (Luke 2:7)

• More angels announced His birth to shepherds, who then came to see Him (Luke 2:8-16)

• Wise men came from the East, seeking the new-born King of the Jews (Matt. 2:1-12)

• A faithful man, Simeon, recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2:25-35)

• An angel warns Joseph to take his family to Egypt to escape the murderous king, Herod—a fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:15 (Matt. 2:13-14)

Fully God and Fully Man

This is one of the greatest mysteries of Jesus’ Birth. Mary was “found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 1:18). He grew in her womb, and yet he never stopped being God! Theologians call this the hypostatic union. Philippians 2:5-8 states that He “was in the form of God” literally morphe, as in metamorphosis. He was “equal with God.” Yes, He came “in the likeness of men.” In fact, one of Jesus’ most often used names for himself was “The Son of Man.” (John 3:13)

What an amazing truth—the omnipotent God left Heaven and became a man so that His wonderful plan could be fulfilled! No one can fully understand it because God by definition is incomprehensible (Job 38:4).