I have to apologize for my lateness. Like many others, the flu got hold of me and doesn’t want to let go. I’m recovering, but didn’t want another day to go by without checking in.

Seeing that we are only days away from Christmas – the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ – I’m going to skip all allegory and go directly to the Good News!

I don’t know how old I was before I understood the importance of Old Testament prophecy. I’m not sure if one day the light finally came on, or if it was more of a gradual dawning, but for many years now I have been fascinated with the fact that the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus were all foretold thousands of years before that manger in Bethlehem. Jesus did not become the promised Messiah, He was born the Messiah. He didn’t earn the position, but was appointed as the One anointed by God to be the Savior of the world! I am increasingly amazed at the plan and purpose of God, as we all should be. God set out to redeem (rescue, reclaim) lost humanity for Himself, and so  Jesus was sent to reconcile people to God and restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden. Only Jesus could, and only He would.

There is much more that I could say, and will in the future, but for today I’m going to post a poem that I hope will inspire you to dig deeper in to God’s marvelous Word – the Bible – both Old Testament and New Testament. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see!

Jesus Christ –  God’s Promised Messiah

In this Christmas season we celebrate Christ’s birth,

Remembering the Father’s love that sent His Son to earth.

But understand that long before that night in Bethlehem,

Father God set forth the plan to send His Spotless Lamb.

So many things were prophesied about the coming One,

And Israel hoped that through Him their freedom would be won.

Micah told that Bethlehem would be the place of birth

Of God’s Own Anointed One, when He arrived on earth.

Through the prophet, Isaiah, God was gracious to foretell

Of a Son born of a virgin, to be called Emmanuel.

Emmanuel – God with us! But how could it be true?

How could God come? His Son be born? What was God was going to do?

Some prophecies were puzzling, some appeared to conflict:

Suffering Servant and King of kings? Human, and yet, perfect?

The timeframe of His life foretold—written in Daniel’s book—

Formed a clearer picture so as not to be mistook.

Prophets revealed Him as Judah’s Lion; but also called Him Lamb.

Sinless, righteous Judge of all; but One Who leaders damn.

He would be the Mighty Rock, and yet the Stone rejected.

Redeemer and Defender, but sadly, unprotected.

Root of Jesse, David’s Son, Wonderful Counselor.

Resurrected Sin-Bearer, Savior, and Restorer.

Endowed with splendor by the LORD, the Servant God would use

To fulfill His every promise and bring hope through His Good News.

The blessing on all nations, He’s Abraham’s Promised Seed;

Most excellent of men and the Ruler Who would lead.

Hated, abused, pierced, and killed. Substitute Sacrifice.

By His wounds we are healed: He bore our pain and vice.

In bearing our iniquities to make intercession,

He paid the price justice demands for our transgression!

The Holy One of Israel would take a final breath –

But be resurrected and triumphant over death!

The Light of the Gentiles, and the hope of Israel;

Prince of peace and Mighty God – more amazing than words can tell!

The promised Messiah will surely fulfill all that God said.

He is the Deliverer sent to crush the serpent’s head!

Crowned with glory, Just and True, the LORD our Righteousness!

Loving, faithful, upright King Who’ll return to rule and bless!

The Man Who sits at God’s right hand, and God’s true Salvation.

His Kingdom is everlasting! He’s The Desired of nations!

Tender mercy, steadfast love, amazing grace indeed!

Christ stooped from Heaven’s glory to serve humanity.

The greatest need of mankind could be met by just One:

Emmanuel – God with us – is Jesus Christ, God’s Son!

I hope after reading that you are filled with joy at the greatness of our God and Savior! His mercy has reached into our world and brought eternal hope to mankind.

Perhaps you have never seriously considered the truth of God’s promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. I pray that you will seek God in prayer and in the Bible, and ask Jesus to personally be your Savior. When you enter into that relationship, and then grow in your understanding, you will know how GOOD the Good News truly is!

Merry Christmas!