When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating God’s perfect track record of fulfilling every single Bible prophecy pointing to Jesus’ first advent.
In the Old Testament, there are more than 100 prophecies related to Christ’s first coming. They reveal specific clues that would enable God’s people to recognize when their long-awaited Savior and Messiah had arrived in their midst.
So remarkable and meaningful are some of these prophecies that we see them appear on Christmas cards. One favorite prophecy is Isaiah 7:14, which was given 700 years before Jesus’ birth: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (7:14).
Another popular prophecy declared on Christmas cards speaks of Christ’s first and second comings—Isaiah 9:6-7 says,
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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end.
One scene frequently depicted on Christmas cards is the humble town of Bethlehem under a starlit sky, along with the Old Testament prophecy that pinpointed Jesus’ birthplace: “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 coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
Many of the popular hymns of the Christmas season also pay tribute to the prophecies that were fulfilled at Christ’s first advent. The song “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” speaks of Christ as the “hope of all the earth” and “joy of every longing heart.” He was “born Thy people to deliver,” and because of His work on the cross, we are raised to His “glorious throne.” These words echo the promises found in Isaiah 61:1, where God said He would send a Redeemer “to bring good news to the poor…to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
The song “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” is rich with prophetic language as well:
“Glory to the newborn King” (see Jeremiah 23:5-6 and Micah 5:2)
“God and sinners reconciled” (see Isaiah 53:4-5)
“Offspring of the Virgin’s womb” (see Isaiah 7:14)
“Jesus our Emmanuel” (see Isaiah 7:14)
“Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth” (see Isaiah 53:11)
Even something as simple as a Christmas ornament depicting a lamb next to a cross reminds us of the prophetic promise that God would send a final Passover lamb who would take away the sins of the world, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:7, 12.
In these ways and many more, the Christmas season is filled with reminders that God is a God of prophecy, a God who keeps His promises.
Had God not been able to fulfill His prophecies of a Savior to rescue us, we would not be able to celebrate Christmas. It is because the promises of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection came to pass that Christmas truly is a season of joy.
Yes, Christmas is a time to celebrate the God of prophecy. He alone is all-knowing and all-powerful and is able to declare the future and fulfill it exactly as He promised.
May our response be one of praise like that found in the awe-inspiring words of the hymn “O, Holy Night”:
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
Steve Miller is the author of the book Foreshadows: 12 Megaclues That Jesus’ Return Is Nearer Than Ever. He can be followed on our blog, his website at https://stevemillerresources.com, and on Telegram Messenger at https://t.me/ForeshadowsReport.