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Breadcrumbs to Christmas

Ancient Prophecies Point to God's Faithfulness 

Have you ever wondered what Christmas is really about beyond the gifts, decorations, and family gatherings? Every year, as I prepare for Christmas messages, I ask myself, "What can I say that's new?" This year, I found myself drawn to a powerful truth: understanding the breadcrumbs God left throughout history that led to the manger in Bethlehem. 

The True Meaning of Christmas 

The first real meaning of Christmas is found in its name—Christ Mass or Mass of Christ. This originated around 1000 AD as an English phrase, "Christus Massey," referring to a service held to celebrate Jesus' birth. While only Matthew and Luke tell us about Jesus' birth narrative in detail, the intention was always to point out the awesomeness of Jesus. 

God's Unfailing Faithfulness 

Throughout the Bible, God's faithfulness is a defining characteristic. In the Old Testament, there's a special Hebrew word that captures this: "(c)hesed." This rich word has no single English equivalent—it encompasses loving-kindness, faithfulness, loyalty, mercy, favor, devotion, and goodness. 

As we read in Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord's great love [hesed], we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

This "hesed" runs throughout the Christmas story. God absolutely loves to prove Himself faithful and trustworthy. 

The Prophecy Breadcrumbs 

About 700-750 years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah delivered a message to King Ahaz found in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 

This prophecy builds on another one given 300 years earlier. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God promised King David: "When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." 

The Fulfillment in Mary 

Fast forward to Luke 1:26-27: "In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David." 

Do you see the prophecies coming together? A virgin. A descendant of David. Just as predicted centuries before. 

If you were going to concoct a religion, would you include details like a virgin birth? No way! You would leave this out if you wanted to make up something believable. But if you're telling the truth, you report the facts as they come. 

God Is With Us 

When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). This message—that God is with us—echoes throughout Scripture: 

• Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 

• Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

• Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

Putting It Into Practice 

The meaning of Christmas is to help us reset our lives and priorities. As we approach the new year, we often think about changes we should make—eating healthier, getting our budget under control, and spending more time with family. 

But what would it look like to put the Lord first? What would it look like to say, "God, I'm coming back to you. I'm preparing my heart and my life so that you could do something in me and through me."? 

Some of you are here because a grandparent or relative may have laid breadcrumbs for you to find Jesus. But along the way, perhaps your parents or even your grandparents walked away from the faith. It's never too late to come back. It's never too late to have faith. 

Remember the angel's final words to Mary in Luke 1:37: "For no word from God will ever fail." He is always "hesed"—always faithful. 

If God could orchestrate Jesus' arrival and tell us about it centuries beforehand, don't you think He can handle whatever you're facing today? 

May you be encouraged this Christmas to trust deeply that God is with you and wants to reveal His faithfulness to you through Jesus Christ His Son. 

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