“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 (NKJV)

The power of the prophetic declaration in our text was first manifested in the Messianic prophecy found in the book of Genesis, the book of beginnings. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Genesis 49:10 (NKJV) This particular passage anticipates the kingship in Judah culminating with the reign and rule of our Lord who is characterized as the “Lion from the tribe of Judah.” (See Revelation 5:5) It is a confirmation that the tribe of Judah would be the channel of 42 generations from which Immanuel would come. There would be no debate, no dissention, and no denying the indisputable fact that in the fullness of time, Immanuel would surely come.

Isaiah prophesied about a child to be born who in some way would relate to the deliverance of the nation of Israel. This prophetic sign was given to Ahaz as an assurance of Judah’s hope in the midst of adversity. It therefore, as it relates to our devotional passage, had an immediate and historical fulfillment. There was to be no confusion or conflict to the sign that was given. Immanuel would be born of a virgin. This fact alone places Him in a class all by himself. The virgin birth of Christ is undisputable. No one else either then, now, or throughout all eternity would be able to make that claim. Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth has come, and He is here right now.

Isaiah gives further prophetic proof of the birth of our Lord. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) In this passage we have one of the most beautifully poetic promises of the coming of our Lord. Each year we recite this verse as we celebrate Christmas. Yet this verse also contains a reference to one of the great incomprehensible truths in the Bible. Immanuel indeed has come. Jesus is more than simply a special and unique man sent from God. The Messiah is God himself in human flesh. He is Immanuel, "God with us". When Jesus was born, God had arrived on the human scene to live and interact directly with His people. He was to be the means of salvation not only to bring deliverance from physical foes but ultimately from sin. Thank God for Jesus.

As we reflect on the blessed season of our Savior's birth think about this. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, the sinless Lamb of God was the only person in the history of mankind that was born, just to live, just to die, just to live forevermore. On behalf of Fresh Fire Ministries I would like to thank you for allowing me to share my passion for the word of God with you on a weekly basis. To you and yours Merry Christmas, and may God grant you grace for the moment and joy for the journey as we patiently await the second coming of our Lord.