A lot of prophetic words and actions in the Old Testament culminated in the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of them seemed clear in meaning, others were hidden or obscure. Some seemed figurative, others literal. Hebrew tradition long heralded the coming of Messiah, and many traditional Jewish people are still looking for Him.
Jesus has Many Names
Jesus was prophesied to be from King David’s lineage, and would be born in Bethlehem, David’s home town. (Micah 5:2) We read words about Him that seem in conflict with one another; He was a King, a Mighty God, the Prince of Peace; a Wonderful Counselor, a Savior, a Light; but He was also born a Child; and Broken, Wounded, Forsaken. (Isaiah 9, 53) So many words, no wonder it was hard for many to recognize Him when He came. But those who were hungry to truly know Him found Him.
Hungry for the Truth
Wise men came looking for Him, recognizing the prophetic significance of a Great Light in the sky, long prophesied in Isaiah 9 to declare His coming. They came looking for a King to worship and lavish gifts upon. They were hungry for the True King.
A Shepherd and a Sacrifice
Angels came dramatically to visit shepherds out on the hills with their sheep to announce Christ’s birth. Shepherds know better than anyone else how much sheep really need a Shepherd to take care of them. Those shepherds also recognized the significance of the swaddling cloths Jesus was wrapped in-the same swaddling cloths shepherds wrap lambs in order to keep them perfect as they’re prepared for sacrifice. The shepherds were hungry to meet their Shepherd and their perfect sacrifice.
The Hungry will be Filled
Did Mary recognize the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem (House of Bread) in a food trough? Perhaps, perhaps not. When she encountered her cousin Elizabeth the Spirit came upon Mary and she prophesied over her baby, “those who hunger for him will always be filled” Luke 1:53 (TPT). A strange thing to prophesy over your own baby! But she knew her baby Jesus was the answer every human heart is beating for-to know the unconditional love of a perfect God who willingly came to earth and live as us.
Prophetic Significance for our lives
In the same way so many prophetic words played out to mark the birth of Jesus, God is at work in all of our lives causing His word over each of us to come to pass. Some of those prophetic words we’re aware of, some we’re not. Some are obvious and straightforward, others more unclear. Some may be those things Jesus Himself is praying and prophesying over our lives that we may not fully know until we’re on the other side. But even as the birth and life of Christ was carefully planned out and orchestrated to come to earth at a certain time and way in order to fulfill His destiny, so is God at work in your life. In ways hidden, in ways revealed, God is manifesting His Light with ever increasing brilliance in and through you.
Wishing you a Joyful and Light-filled Christmas;
Susan
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