Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas Day #5 What Child Is This?

Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas – Day #5 What Child Is This? (Matthew 2:1-6; Micah 5:1-2)

What Child Is This? (Matthew 2:1-6; Micah 5:1-2)

Matthew 2:1-6, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

Micah 5:1-2, “Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

The New Testament books name the location where the birth of Jesus was in the little town of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1-6 fulfills this prophecy from Micah 5:1-2. In reading the Gospels we find that the prophetic words of Micah were fulfilled. One of the clearest prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is set forth. More than 700 years prior to His first advent, the prophet Micah foretold the place of His birth as Bethlehem Ephratah. The original name of the village was Ephrath (fruitful) and later came to be known as Bethlehem (house of bread). The prophecy is precise for there was another village named Bethlehem in Zebulun. Bethlehem Ephratah is located about 8 miles south of Jerusalem. Though Bethlehem today is a city of some size in the ‘West Bank’, the prophet refers to it as ‘little.’ The shepherds were out tending to their flocks on the outskirts of Bethlehem when the angel of the Lord appeared. The events of this holy night were unleashed upon this world on that awesome night. I dare say none of us would have allowed for Jesus to be born in this lowly city. The most famous person the world has ever known was about to be conceived within the small city of David. The angel proclaimed Him, the angelic host praised Him, the shepherds published His story, Mary pondered upon Him, and the entire world is still puzzled by Him. How was the atmosphere in heaven as the divine Son of God exited heaven and headed for earth? I'm thinking that a holy hush overtook the portals of glory, but its reach also extended down to earth as the angel presented the babe in the manger.

1. The Traits.

When we reflect on the account of His birth, we need to think about His traits. The Bible is very clear about His character and His characteristics; He would be so different from any man that had ever been born.

• The government shall rest upon his shoulder
• He shall be Wonderful
• He shall be a Counselor
• He is The Mighty God
• He is The Everlasting Father
• He is The Prince of Peace
• He Throne will be Unending
• He shall be called Jesus, Emmanuel, Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man

Although Jesus was born so many years ago, He is worthy of all consideration:

• He is Amazingly Awesome
• He is Beautifully Becoming
• He is Confidently Conquering
• He is Delightfully Darling
• He is Eternally Everlasting
• He is Faithful Forever
• He is Genuinely Good
• He is Historically Honorable
• He is Immensely Immaculate
• He is Jubilantly Joyous
• He is Knowingly King
• He is Literally Lovely
• He is Marvelously Mighty
• He is Naturally Noticeable
• He is Officially Original
• He is Personally Precious
• He is Quintessentially Qualified
• He is Righteously Redemptive
• He is Simply Sweet
• He is Thankfully Trustworthy
• He is Ultimately Unique
• He is Valiantly Victorious
• He is Wonderfully Worthy
• He is the X that marks the spot
• He is Yieldingly Yoked
• He is Zestfully Zealous

In considering Jesus, we soon realize that He is very worthy of all praise. In looking at the monumental acts that have impacted the world, nobody has made more impact than He who was born in the manger of Bethlehem. The entire world will be confronted with His birth as we soon celebrate Christmas. The birth of Jesus is still making a difference.

2. The Treasure.
The precious treasure of God’s gift to the world was entrusted to an engaged couple that had kept themselves pure and honorable in the eyes of God. The Lord allowed them to bear the burden of caring for this heavenly treasure. It is much to ponder on how Mary and Joseph felt in raising the very Son of God.

3. The Timing.
When the time was just right, God sent forth Jesus. The voice of God had not been heard within the boundaries of Israel for 400 years and suddenly God declared that the time was at hand, so He picked out a worthy vessel and sent forth Jesus.

4. The Triumph.
Jesus may have been born in a manger, but from day one the world was on announcement that He would be triumphant in His quest:

• The Angel of the Lord
• The Angelic Host
• The Shepherds' Haste
• The Manger Scene
• The Lad Teaching in the Temple
• The Proclamation of John the Baptist
• The Dove Descending Upon His Shoulder
• The Voice of God Acknowledging His Son
• The Mount of Transfiguration
• The Scenes on Mount Calvary
• The Resurrection
• The Ascension

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