This season to remember the birth of the MESSIAH easily lends itself to meditation on Jesus Christ. For about 1500 years before Jesus came the Jews had been expecting the Messiah. The Messiah was their hope. He would be their salvation & KING. His two comings had been written & prophesied previously in the Old Testament. They were probably thinking more of a physical salvation than a spiritual one. It was known that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

When the wisemen came to Herod to enquire of the place of birth of the KING OF THE JEWS all the chief priests and scribes said He would come from Bethlehem. Matt 2:1-12 This verse in Micah 5 says He is to be ruler in Israel. The Jews expected a KING who would deliver them from Gentile rule. In the verse from Micah the first and second comings of the Messiah are dealt with. Jesus Christ will not only be born in Bethlehem, but He will be Ruler in Israel when He returns. Psalm 2:6 presents the Messiah as GOD’s KING who will be set upon GOD’s holy hill Zion. Zion is Jerusalem. The end of MICAH 5: 2 speaks of the eternal nature of THE MESSIAH. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have eternal life. John 3:16

The Jews also knew that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10 ) and the family of David. Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us that a child shall be given to the Jews. This is the newborn body of the Messiah, THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST. Messian is from the Hebrew and Christ is from the Greek. Both words have the same meaning, anointed. Also, Isaiah 9:6 says a son is to be given and this speaks of the fact that He is the SON of GOD. Psalms 2:7 & 12 speaks of the SON of GOD. Isaiah 9:7 states that the Messiah will sit upon the throne of David. JESUS CHRIST will sit upon the throne of David in Jerusalem. (read Zachariah 14) We see in Isaiah 11:1 that the Messiah will come from Jesse who is the father of David. 2 Samuel 7:4-17

The Messiah had to come the first time to suffer for our sins. Isaiah 53 He became the SAVIOR of all who believe. Acts 16:30-31 As HE came the first time, so He will come the second time. What a blessing came to man the first time He came. Can we imagine what it will be like when He returns the second time? Romans 11:11-15. “…but life from the dead.”

I will be flying to Israel on Jan. 8 and planning to stay there until April 7. God willing. I will be having needed dental care. I will be with Samuel first in Tel Aviv. The dental work will be in Jerusalem with Dr Fadi Said. I would appreciate prayer for my 3 months in Israel. I was last there in Jan. 2020.

I continue teaching 3 groups of widows in Kenya by WhatsApp. De 23 & 24 we had a lesson on the birth of the Messiah with a distribution of food gifts.
Jesus Christ has a work yet to finish. And so do we who believe in Him. I pray God will help you to serve Christ in the New Year.

A Blessed Remembrance of CHRIST’S BIRTH AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
ISAIAH 7:14 The Virgin birth of the MESSIAH WHO is called Immanuel.