Wise Men (and Women) Still Seek Him

If you are reading this, Christmas is winding down for 2023. The presents are unwrapped, the tree is looking a little tired, and Christmas music is being replaced by more normal fare. Expectations were either met or fell short. People were either basking in the glow of a wonderful Christmas with family or they were lonely and alone… or some stop in between. Christmas brings so many emotions, both good and bad. Believe it or not, this joyous time for many is a time of deep sadness for some.

All too often consumerism overwhelms us all as we spend too much time trying to make sure everyone gets just what they want and deciding to worry about the credit card balances later. The thing that is lost is the real reason for the season. Christmas marks a real moment in time when everything changed, and the world was never the same.

The angels watched breathlessly as He stepped off His throne into the world His hands had made (John 1:1-5). In a supernatural birth, the Omniscient Omnipotent One took the name of Jesus. With His miraculous birth, His horrific crucifixion, and His resurrection, Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies to the tune of over 300. The standard for Biblical prophecies is 100% correct. Not one could be wrong on punishment of death. Let’s look at a few, and remember that Isaiah wrote his prophesies 700 years before Christ’s birth.

•Prophecy/Isaiah 7:14 – Born of a Virgin - Fulfillment/Luke 1:34-35

•Prophecy/Micah 5:2 – Born in Bethlehem - Fulfillment/Matthew 2:4-6

•Prophecy/Genesis 3:15 – Destroyer of Satan’s work - Fulfillment/1 John 3:8

• Prophecy/Exodus 12:5 – Leads a sinless life - Fulfillment/Hebrews 9:14

•Prophecy/Psalm 8:5-6 – Humbled to serve mankind - Fulfillment Hebrews 2: 5-9

•Prophecy/Isaiah 35:5-6 - Has a miraculous ministry - Fulfillment/Matthew 11:2-6

•Prophecy/Isaiah 53:3 –Would be despised and rejected - Fulfillment/Luke 4:28-29

•Prophecy/Zechariah 11:12-23 – Will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver - Fulfillment/Matthew 27: 6-10

•Prophecy/Leviticus 17:11 – Blood will be spilled for atonement - Fulfillment/ Matthew 26:28

•Prophecy/Psalm 118:17-18 – Resurrection predicated - Fulfillment/Luke 24: 5-7

•Prophesy/Isaiah 35:4 - Will come and save you – Fulfillment/Matthew 1:21

•Prophecy/Isaiah 53:12 – Sin bearer for all of mankind – Fulfillment/1 Peter 2:24

•Prophecy/Joel 2:32 – Offers salvation to all mankind – Fulfillment/Romans 10: 9-13

So if this Christmas celebration didn’t live up to expectations and has left you more empty than fulfilled, give Jesus a chance. He stands ready to fulfill your deepest needs. He atoned for your sins through His blood and is waiting patiently for you to accept the gift of His salvation and make Heaven your destination. As the Bible reminds us through the familiar John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have life everlasting.”

Then every Christmas, regardless of its joy or its sorrow, each saved sinner can whisper the words of the old hymn, “It is well with my soul.”