The Dead-on Accuracy of Scriptures Foretelling the Birth of Jesus
When the Son of God was born on that first Christmas Day, it shouldn’t have been a complete surprise to those with knowledge of the scriptures at that time. It is nothing short of supernatural that the birth of Jesus was foretold in detail in scripture hundreds of years before his birth! This is one of the greatest testaments to the truth about the Bible being the Word of God. Marvel at the wonder of Christmas even more than ever this year, as you contemplate these amazing predictions-come-true about Jesus’ birth.
Born of a Virgin
In Isaiah 7:14, the virgin birth is foretold: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This scripture was referenced in Matthew 1:23.
In Luke 1:26-38, scriptures tell about an angel visiting the virgin Mary and telling her that she would give birth to “the Son of the Most High.” She asked how it was possible, since she was a virgin, and the angel told her that “the Most High will overshadow you,” after which the holy child would develop inside of her.
Never before or since the first Christmas has a child been born of a virgin.
Born in Bethlehem
The prophecy about Bethlehem being the birthplace of the Messiah is in Micah 5:2 and a portion of it says, “But out of you (Bethlehem) will come a ruler over Israel for me.”
In Matthew 2:10, it says, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalelm.”
An Escape to Egypt
While Mary, Jesus, and Joseph were still in Bethlehem, Joseph was awakened by an angel and warned to escape to Egypt because Herod would be searching to find and kill Jesus (Matthew 2:13). This was foretold in Hosea 11:1, which says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him and out of Egypt I called my son.”
Tragically, Jeremiah 31:15 predicting great weeping and mourning for deceased children was fulfilled in Matthew 2:16. Herod had all boys 2 years old and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding area killed, in an effort to kill Jesus, who had been safely removed from the area.
There Would be a Star
God placed a star in the sky that the magi recognized as a sign the King of the Jews had been born, and they followed it to find Jesus in Bethlehem. The Old Testament scripture foretelling the star is in Numbers 24:17, and Matthew 2:1-2 tells of its fulfillment.
Gifts Would be Presented
The magi were an important part of the Christmas story. The gifts they presented as a tribute to Jesus were foretold in Psalm 72:10-11. In Matthew 2:11, the fulfilment of the prophecy is told: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Shepherds Would Worship Him
Psalm 72:9 foretells that shepherds would bow before the Messiah. The fulfillment is found in Luke 2:8-17, which is a beautiful passage with choirs of angels singing of the Good News about the birth of Christ.
Spread the Good News
Truly, these scriptures are part of the magic of Christmas. The best reason to keep Christ in Christmas is that He is the reason for the season. Having a Christmas celebration that leaves Jesus out is like throwing a great birthday party but purposefully not inviting the person whose birthday it is.
