Scriptural Reference:
Messiah would be born of a woman.
Genesis 3:15 & Matthew 1:20

Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2 & Matthew 2:1

Messiah would be born of a virgin.
Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:22-23

Messiah would be heir to King David's throne.
2 Samuel 7:12-13 & Luke 1:32-33

Messiah would spend a season in Egypt.
Hosea 11:1 & Matthew 2:14-15

Reflection:
We know for a certainty that God keeps His promises. As foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament the Messiah would be born by a virgin. That the child's' name would be Emmanuel or Jesus; which means God is with us. In the pages of the New Testament we watch as our world and world view is changed forever. Everything that we once had only a vague understanding of from the Old Testament is now explained and expressed to us. We can now see the whole and complete prophetic story had been told and fulfilled. How we can now be reconciled with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. So let's take time to review the prophesies that were fulfilled and recorded for us with the New Testament.

In this brief scriptural reflection on the promises made within the Old Testament and the promises fulfilled within the New Testament I will journey as far as Egypt. Where Joseph and Mary escape when threatened by Harrods anger and malice. We can look at the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ in greater detail at another time.

Messiah would be born of a woman: Although this may seem peculiar to some, the need for our Saviour to be born of a human is mentioned in the old Testament. And for good reason. Our Saviour needed to have lived among us and to have faced and yet overcome all the challenges and pitfalls we face each day. His humble beginning and life would be a standard by which we each should seek to emulate and follow. It is in the Lords human humility that we can find His true strength and our role model.

Messiah would be born in Bethlehem: We are told in Micah 5:2 "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 coming forth is from of old, from ancient days". The birth place of Jesus being foretold and predestined. While in John 1:46 we read the exclamation Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”. Indeed the prophesy was recorded and the fulfilment was made perfect when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Messiah would be born of a virgin: In Matthew 1:22-23 we read of the fulfilment of the prophesy of who would give birth to Jesus the Christ. "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us". Even this wonderful detail has been preordained to take place. May was a virgin. A woman who had not slept with any man. Yet she was visited by the Holy Spirit and was impregnated to conceive Emmanuel. Which means in Hebrew 'God is with us'. His social name was given as Jesus. A name that signifies the Lords future role in our salvation.

Messiah would be heir to King David's throne: Lineage means a great deal to not just the early Israelites but also to God. For Jesus to be born of the family of King David as an heir signifies His Kingship and place at the head of all of Israel. Many people these days would understand how important heritage can be. As the growth in Family Trees and websites that help trace where families originate from. The royal lineage of King David is in itself significant as it is recognised by the whole Jewish society. It is written in their history and their holy book the Torah. So the importance of Jesus being of it would be understood by all.

Messiah would spend a season in Egypt: There are several reasons why Jesus and His family needed to escape to Egypt. The first and most obvious being to get away from the murderous rage of Harrod Who sent out soldiers to murder children he believed would possibly be the King that threatened his rule. Than there is the fact that Jesus had to go to Egypt, the figurative house of slavery, in order to guarantee the deliverance of God's people. He was kept safe from Harrod, because he had to die for his people on the cross of Calvary. In other words, he did not repeat the exodus of Israel, but paid its price. We know that the family would have lived in Bethlehem for several years after the birth. This is explained by the fact that the Magi or Wise Men visited their home. Jesus would have been roughly 3-4 years old. Which explains why Harrod ordered children within this age range to be murdered as he didn't know how old Jesus was. As both the Magi and Mary were warned of Harrod's rage they each went separate ways. So that all could be as it was prophesied.

The story of the amazing birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ has unfolded as we review the written history. We can see how important each prophesy and fulfilment is to God's plans and our salvation. In each step we are able to come closer to God. What we need to do is to never lose the amazement at the grandiose plan God has for each of us. Through His Son's life, death and resurrection for our redemption.

Prayer:
Lord, through your birth,
We now exclaim your life,
Perfect in all things before God,
Through your teachings,
That show us the way of truth,
Through your precious death,
That takes away our sins,
And through your resurrection,
That show us the way after death.
In your name we pray,
As we journey the way of the cross.
Amen