Christmas Study Guide - Day 1
Part of Christmas Study Guide
November 26, 2021

He Shall Be Called - Day 1

Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:1 – 20

As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, a death sentence fell upon all of creation. Mankind was cursed and could no longer share the close, joyous relationship with God that they had enjoyed before the rebellion. But God, in His infinite love for His creation, decided He would send a savior with a plan to redeem mankind and restore them to relationship with Himself. The Old Testament (O.T.) referred to this savior as the Messiah and His name would be Jesus Christ.

Bible scholars tell us that there are over 300 O.T. prophecies, or foretellings, of the birth, life, and death of the Messiah that God would send to redeem His people. Many of these prophecies are very specific and could only have been fulfilled by one person – Jesus Christ. The statistical odds of even just a few of these prophecies being fulfilled by the birth of one person are astronomically high.

The birth of the Christ child should not have been a surprise due to all the prophecies that God had given in the centuries leading up to the actual birth of the Messiah. Unfortunately, most of the people alive at the time of the birth of the Christ child were not aware of His birth. They missed the party! The Innkeeper missed it. King Herod wasn’t aware it was coming. The Pharisees, rabbis, and most other Jewish leaders missed it in spite of all their time spent studying the ancient scriptures. Caesar Augustus, the Roman ruler of the region, missed it. The only folks in Bethlehem who were present for the most important birth in all of history were Mary and Joseph and a few shepherds who received a special birth announcement from a host of angels.

God was faithful to His promise and sent the Messiah just as He said He would. Scripture also contains many prophecies that tell us this same Messiah is coming again. Incredibly, many people ignore these prophecies and are not anticipating His second coming. The next time the Messiah comes to earth He will come as a conquering King and no one will miss it. The Bible tells us “every eye shall see Him.”

God’s word is incredible and 100% reliable. Over the next few weeks, let’s take a look at some of these incredible prophecies given at least 400 years before the actual event. Prophecies that were given by God in anticipation of the birth of His son who came to seek and save that which was lost.

Q1. Why do you think God gave specific prophecies concerning the birth of the Messiah?

Q2. Given that God had revealed so many specific details concerning the birth of the Messiah, why do you think everyone alive at that time were not anticipating His birth?

Q3. When specific prophecies given centuries before actual events come true, what does that mean for your faith as you reflect on these events?

Q4. Scripture also reveals many prophecies about the next coming of this same Messiah. Many folks alive today are not looking forward to this second coming of the Messiah. Given that the prophecies concerning the first coming of the Messiah all came true, why do you think more folks aren’t looking forward to the second coming of the Messiah?

Q5. Do you stop and think about this second coming of the Messiah? Does it frighten you or are you excited to see Him come again?

Father God you hold the key, to what will come and what will be When Christ comes back, what will He say, what will He see
Will He be pleased with fighting and war, with hate and pain?
Would we try and nail Him to a cross again for preaching faith and love? Perhaps today or twenty years we’ll see the day
When Christ will return as king to stop the pain and tears

PRAYER FOCUS: Heavenly father, help me to correctly understand the scriptures as I study about Your plan to redeem the world. The story of the birth, life, and death of Your Son, the long-promised Messiah, truly is the greatest story ever told. This Christmas season, give me a fresh appreciation for the joy and peace that the gospel has brought to my life. Give me compassion for friends and family who even today don’t realize they need a Savior. Help them see that the infinite God put on skin and came as an infinite infant because He loved them and wanted to redeem them to Himself.