Silence. For 400 years, the Jewish people had heard nothing from God. Malachi had promised a prophet that would proceed the long-awaited Messiah, but the wait seemed endless. Finally, John the Baptist was born. He was filled with the Holy Spirit even while he was in the womb. He was to be the voice crying in the wilderness, “Make Straight the way for the Lord”. If only the people had accepted their Messiah.
Mary was a virgin. She was betrothed to Joseph, but they had not yet come together as man and wife. When an angel appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive a child and that He would be the savior of her people, she was confused. How could a virgin conceive a child? The angel told her that this would be the work of the Holy Spirit and to not be afraid. Her child was born in Bethlehem, in a manager, without the fanfare that should have accompanied the coming King. The Shepherds came to worship Him, but Herod tried to kill him. The hand of God was on this child, and nothing could prevent Him from fulfilling the plan of God.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, called out of Egypt, and named a Nazarene. Even as a child, He fulfilled messianic prophecies. There has never been another person in history that claimed to be Messiah and proved it as He did. Jesus is God incarnate. He is the Messiah. He came to earth as fully man and fully God, becoming the second Adam. He took upon Himself the punishment of sin for all who believe in Him. He is the Lamb of God. He is the King. He is the Savior. He is the Lord God Almighty! Amen!
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