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How well do you know the prophecies of the Old Testament? Do you read them? Study them? Do you search for Christ in them? There are still many prophecies in the Bible I don’t fully understand, so I really appreciate when the New Testament writers help us with the meaning of Old Testament texts. Today, we’re considering the prophecy in Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Initially, the main significance of Bethlehem is its insignificance, a small town of no great importance. But, then comes King David and the messianic promises that come through him.

Today's reading moves us from one of the prophets of old, Isaiah, unto these last days of Christ's appearing. In these verses, we mark the notable importance involved in the naming of a child. Sometimes, the name of a person in Scripture gives us a glimpse into the character or calling of that individual.

​​Jesus is ​the ​last in a long history of promised sons—the promised son of Abraham who​ would bring​ enduring blessing to the nations​​; the promised son of David who would build the true house of God​ ​and whose throne​ ​will endure forever.

​We tend to use the word “gospel” to refer narrowly to Jesus’ atoning death and justification by faith alone. This is a fine way to use “gospel,” but ​it's not exactly the way the word is used in Mark 1. So what was the content of the gospel, the good news, that Jesus wanted his hearers to believe?

Two Sundays ago Mike Noel preached on the consequences of the Fall from Genesis 3:8-24. He walked us through the guilt and shame and blame-shifting and...grace that the Fall brought. He mentioned that because of sin we can feel "adrift in a sea of shame and guilt." As he was wrapping up his sermon he trimmed off some of what he wanted to say. He mentioned that we'd put his notes into a blog for you. This is it. These are four ways we can respond to the reality of shame and guilt but the even greater reality of the forgiveness and shame-bearing of Jesus Christ.

​Isaiah writes, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light"(Isa 9:2). That light came into the world with the birth of Jesus, and all willrespond one way or the other: hate it ​and​ him or look on him and be saved.

​Just as Jesus tells Nicodemus that human understanding is not enough, "You must be born again," so too would he say to our culture, "Vague overtures of peace and goodwill to men are not enough. You must be born again." And to do that, you must know the only Savior, Jesus Christ, born on Christmas morn in Bethlehem.

​The nativity story in John's gospel is short but powerful: “the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory." Jesus was made manifest to his people Israel. They beheld his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father. They heard the words of life from his lips. Let us, too, hear the voice of him who still calls to us today to come and see and follow.

When we remember to "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” we find not only comfort when we've sinned, but also motivation to help us not sin....during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and every day of our lives.