Nativity

The Birth (Incarnation) of the Son of God – Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies

Prophecy of the Supernatural Conception of the Son of God by a Virgin

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

About 700 years later

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said:

“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her:

“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God and,

behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Then said Mary unto the angel:

"How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her:

“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” The Holy Gospel of Luke 1:26-35

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying: "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." The Holy Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25

Prophecy of the Birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem

“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.” Micah 5:2

About 700 years later:

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger".

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". The Holy Gospel of Luke 2:1-14

"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." The Holy Gospel of Matthew 2:1-6

The Son of God – the only Mediator between God and man

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to Timothy 2:5

“Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God.” First Epistle of the Apostle Peter 1:20-21a

The Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, as perfect and eternal God, consubstantial and equal with the Father, when the appointed time came, assumed human nature with all its characteristic qualities and weaknesses, but without sin - He was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary from her essence. Thus two whole and complete, but different natures, the divine and the human, were inseparably united in one Person, without passing into the other, without combining or mixing. This Person is fully God and fully man, but He is unique — this is Christ — the only Mediator between God and man.

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians 2:6-7

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians 2:9

Why was it necessary for the Mediator to be God?

It was necessary for the Mediator to be God, that He might sustain and protect human nature from falling under the blows of the boundless wrath of God, and from collapsing before the power of death; that His sufferings, His obedience, and His intercession might be given value and efficacy; also, that He might satisfy God's justice, secure His favor, redeem a chosen people and give them His Ghost, defeat all their enemies, and bring them to eternal salvation.

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity, but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." Hebrews 7:24-28

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:8-9

“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:15

Why was it necessary for the Mediator to be a man?

It was necessary for the Mediator to be a man, to elevate our nature, to show us obedience to the Law, to endure suffering and intercede for us in our nature, to experience our infirmities himself, so that we might receive adoption, comfort, and access to approach with boldness the throne of grace.

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:4-5

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Why was it necessary for the Mediator to be God and man in one person?

It was necessary for the Mediator who was to reconcile God and man to be God and man in one person, so that the individual actions of each of these natures might be accepted by God on our behalf and we might rely on them as the actions of one complete person.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him, and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell, and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. " The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians 1:12-22

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." The First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians 1:30

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." The First Epistle of the Apostle John 5:20

The publication uses texts from:

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/

Thematic publications that I recommend you read: