Thanks for joining us today. December 24 is only two weeks away. This year, it falls on a Sunday. So, stay tuned for our first Christmas Eve Bible study.
As the title indicates, we are reviewing Christmas prophecies from the Hebrew Bible. I can see my people’s heads exploding by linking “Christmas” with the “Hebrew Bible.” But don’t shoot the messenger. I am merely presenting what was written between 1400 and 400 BC before the birth of a Jewish baby boy with the Hebrew name “Yeshua” to mother, “Miriam,” and father, “Yosef.” (Technically, Yosef is Yeshua’s stepfather, but that is a miraculous and complicated drama we will save for next week’s study of New Testament Christmas verses.)
Again, I am pleased to have distinguished author Dr. Jerry Newcombe as my co-writer to help us celebrate the season in a scholarly way. Our celebration is without candy canes, gift cards, giant inflatable Santas, and extravagant exterior lighting — only the Light of Christ with free shipping (but unavailable on Amazon). Our Christmas studies highlight the true gift and purpose so the Light of Christ may dwell in your heart through faith.
Newsflash: Jesus Christ is not just for Christmas. Unfortunately, the federal holiday hoopla is increasingly secular, disconnected from Him but thriving. That said, we are ready to begin.
So often, when we hear the name “Jesus Christ,” we forget that Christ is not His last name but His title. Christ comes from the Greek word “Christos,” which comes from the Hebrew word “Meshiach” (Messiah). The English translation is: “Anointed One.”
Jesus is the Anointed One as described in Psalm 2, written around 1000 BC:
“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed” (Psalm 2:2). Amazingly, the war on Christmas was foretold! But we know who wins in the end, as Psalm 2 continues:
“I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’
“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2: 7-12).
Christianity is of divine origin. One of the great evidences of that is all the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Psalm 2 is not your typical Christmas reading, but Jesus, although not named, is “my son” foretold by the “father.”
As previously mentioned, the Old Testament, written between 1400 and 400 BC, gives us a picture of Jesus from the Hebrew prophets, as we will read next. But first, note the use of “BC,” meaning “Before Christ.”
The birth of Jesus was so influential and culturally changing that He separated recorded time. However, in recent decades, BC has frequently been dropped for BCE, which means “Before the Common Era.” Why the change after centuries of widespread BC usage? The secularists must not offend anyone who does not believe in Christ. Therefore, He must be stricken from the separation of recorded time. However, ironically, that “common era” is “before Christ.” So, time is still all about Jesus. He still prevails, He always will, albeit indirectly.
Now, let’s review the two most famous Hebrew Bible Christmas Prophesies. First:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). That “sign” was conveyed by Gabriel, an angel messenger of the Lord to a divinely chosen young woman named Miriam, anglicized as “Mary” approximately 750 years “before Christ” was born.
So you ask how we went from “Immanuel” to Yeshua (anglicized as Jesus?)
Immanuel, which means “God with us,” was a title or description of who Jesus was to be — His purpose, not His proper name.
Now for the second most familiar Christmas prophecy, written around 720 BC:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
In case you are unfamiliar with “Ephrathah,” it was the region in which Bethlehem was located. Most prophetic is the name “Bethlehem.” Two Hebrew words are combined: “Beth” means house, and “Lehem” means bread. So, about 720 years before His birth, it was foretold that Jesus would be born in a town that described His identity and mission on earth:
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35).
Knowing that connection, how can one not believe in Him? Back to Isaiah now, again about 750 years before His birth, Isaiah prophesied about all Jesus will be, His enemies, and His various names:
“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, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
That wraps it up for today. Thanks to co-writer Jerry Newcombe. I hope this study has inspired you to think about the real meaning of December 25. And if you are experiencing Christmas season stress, stop right now! Instead, pray about who He is, why He became flesh, and how He could dwell in You (and perhaps already does).
Then, listen to this. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible,” reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. “Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor–supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.
