We often crave new and exciting tales. Still, we yearn to hear the old, old story, as A. Catherine Hankey wrote in the hymn “Tell Me the Old, Old Story.” Our soul’s hunger for truth, for substance, and for sustenance. The story relayed through the prophets by the Spirit of God foretold His redemptive plan. It created curiosity among the angels of heaven. The message of the prophets prepared the way for Jesus’ birth, foretold His destination and laid out His purpose.
The Birth of Jesus
Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth in a dark time in Israel’s history. A virgin birth? Yes, a supernatural birth, a precursor to the believer’s spiritual rebirth. This birth would stretch the muscles of faith to understand a spiritual birth, which the apostle John described as not being of natural descent, nor human decision or a husband’s will but like Christ, of God to all who believe.
Destination
Then the prophet Micah speaks to Bethlehem: “From you shall come forth for Me, One who is able to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” And Hosea 1:1 “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” These prophecies were fulfilled when the wise men following the star found the child in Bethlehem, and the Christ child came out of exile in Egypt after the wicked Herod’s death. His destination was Earth, through the land of Israel, to the believer’s heart.
His Purpose
And from the prophets we learn His purpose. At the dawning of time, Moses recorded, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.”
God through Abraham created a people, a nation to cradle His Son, a nation through which He would bless all nations of the world. Isaiah writes, “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Before His birth, Joseph learned in a dream that His name would be Jesus and He would save His people from their sins.
The prophets told us of a virgin birth, of His coming to a small village called Bethlehem and of His redemptive purpose. This story of Christmas? It was in God’s heart all along.
