But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. —Micah 5:2


In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. — Luke 2:1-7

He Came Just as He Said He Would

Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets spoke of the promised Savior, telling the people how to recognize His coming and reminding them that God had not forgotten. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the Son of a virgin according to the line of David, a King to rule and usher in an era of peace like never before. Israel watched and waited, filled with longing and expectation for this promised Rescuer.

Four hundred and fifty years of silence had passed since the final words of the prophets. And 
then, on an unassuming night, He came—just as He said He would. A young, pregnant virgin
woman named Mary journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem alongside her fiancé Joseph to be
counted for Caesar’s census. The couple entered the sleepy Judean town and took refuge in the only place available: a stable. And when the time came, Mary gave birth to her firstborn: a Son. She wrapped him in cloths, laid him in a manger and gave him the name Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. And just like that, a whisper in the Bethlehem night, a Child was born, a Son was given.

This newborn’s cry pierced the midnight sky like a trumpet heralding sin’s demise and the defeat of death forever for all who would believe. The Ancient of Days stepped into time and wrapped Himself in the frailty of human skin. He came, full of pity, compassion and power, to rescue those lost in darkness and carry them into the kingdom of everlasting light. He came—just as He said He would, to do what we never could.

“He came, full of pity, compassion and power, to rescue those lost in darkness and carry them into the kingdom of everlasting light. He came—just as He said He would, to do what we never could.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the prophets promised concerning the Messiah. We understand that our Lord has done just what He said He would do, at exactly the right time. Surely He who has been perfectly faithful to His promises in the past will be faithful to all His promises to come. Let Advent be a time to reflect on God’s faithfulness to do exactly what He has said.

Reflection

Consider the prophecies from Isaiah 9:1-7 and Micah 5:2. How do you see these fulfilled in Jesus’ birth?

What promises has God already fulfilled in your life? How do you keep the memory of His
faithfulness fresh?

What promises of God are you waiting to see fulfilled? How does the perfect fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Messiah encourage your confidence in His faithfulness?