Wise words from the days gone by

Did you know that the birth of Jesus was actually told a long time ago? Believe it there were people that told of the birth of our Savior from the days gone by.

Things haven't changed much over time. People still don't believe in the miracle of a baby, a designated King, coming to earth to be our Savior.

The story seems to be good to be true.

But I believe it.  Because God said so and He keeps His word.

I wonder if that is what the people who heard the vision of the Savior of the world thought too? 

"Could it really be true?"  

Could this simple story of God caring really be the real deal?

Believe it...it's a bit too crazy for anyone to make this up.  And yes, agreed, it is a strange way to save us humans.

Because God says it's true though, I do believe in the miracle of Christmas.  I believe by faith that Jesus came down from Heaven in the form of a tiny, pure little baby to bring salvation to the world.  I believe in the story, even if it sounds a little whacky.

I mean why would Heaven come near to us, in the middle of our sin, in the middle of our messy lives, and in the middle of our upside down world?  Why would Heaven care to humiliate and put to death one Innocent man as punishment for our wrongs, thus giving us a way to live forever with a Mighty and Holy God?

Why?

Because God keeps His promises, and but more so because He loved us first.

Pure Love came down from Heaven and gifts with an Eternity filled with love, joy and peace.  And the Hope of Heaven is near with this Christmas story.  Hope in it's purest form wrapped up in a tiny breathing baby bundle.

Hope comes down and there some old guys who were faithful to tell the story, and write it down.

Here are ten reasons to believe the story:

1. Jesus will come from the line of Abraham. Prophecy: Genesis 12:3. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1.

2. Jesus’ mother will be a virgin. Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14. Fulfilled:  Matthew 1:18–23.

3. Jesus will be a descendant of Isaac and Jacob. Prophecy:  Genesis 17:19 and Numbers 24:17. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:2.

4. Jesus will be born in the town Bethlehem. Prophecy: Micah 5:2. Fulfilled: Luke 2:1–7.

5. Jesus will be called out of Egypt. Prophecy: Hosea 11:1. Fulfilled: Matthew 2:13–15.

6. Jesus will be a member of the tribe of Judah. Prophecy: Genesis 49:10. Fulfilled: Luke 3:33.

7. Jesus will enter the temple. This is important because the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 and was never rebuilt. Prophecy:  Malachi 3:1. Fulfilled: Luke 2:25–27.

8. Jesus will be from the lineage of King David. Prophecy:  Jeremiah 23:5. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:6.

9. Jesus’ birth will be accompanied with great suffering and sorrow. Prophecy: Jeremiah 31:15. Fulfilled: Matthew 2:16.

10. Jesus will live a perfect life, die by crucifixion, resurrect from death, ascend into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God.  Prophecies: Psalm 22:16; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10–11; Psalm 68:18; Psalm 110:1.  Fulfilled: 1 Peter 2:21–22; Luke 23:33; Acts 2:25–32; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 1:3.

The God who wrote these Scriptures makes good on His promise to us.  

He is faithful to his Word.  And He definitely loved us first.

Believe in the miracle of Christmas because these older wise men sought God as they were writing and have left behind a beautiful telling of the Jesus story for us to believe.

These are wise words from those who didn't get to see the promise that we get to celebrate.  Believe in Jesus this Christmas.  

Hope's name is Jesus, Jesus is the Hope of this lost, upside down world.

This was written because you are loved.  ~ the Hope specialist.