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

Micah 5:2 (ESV)

During the busyness of the Christmas season, it is easy for Christians to overlook the importance of the birth of Christ over 2,000 years ago. What is shelved into a place of insignificance today is merely a repeat of what was done by those who were watching for the promised coming of their king.

Throughout the Old Testament, God revealed to His chosen people, Israel, all of the details that would clearly identify their Messiah when He arrived. All of the religious leaders knew that Immanuel was a descendant of King David and prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 to be born of a virgin. The exact location for this miraculous birth is given by the prophet Micah. The prophet Daniel revealed exactly when the anointed one, the prince, would arrive.

Jesus fulfilled every one of the prophecies, yet those same religious leaders who knew it, refused to recognize Him for the one they were waiting to arrive. Why did they not believe, even after Jesus demonstrated that He was sent by God through the miracles He performed?

Those who called for the crucifixion of their Messiah did so because their religion had no place for God’s Son. For them, religion was their own perceived greatness in keeping the laws of Moses and their added traditions.

The promised king was going to be the one that fitted into their plans and goals. Jesus of Nazareth did not match the ruler they designed.

Are Christians today making the same mistake?  Is Jesus revealed to us in the Bible the same Jesus we say that we worship? 

Spending more time in God’s Word and following His Spirit will ensure that we also don’t have a religion that keeps us blinded to the true Jesus and the truth of yet unfulfilled prophecy. Scripture tells us that Jesus is coming again. This promise is tied to the promise of His first coming. Therefore, it should be just as important. This week, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us also take time to think about the significance of God’s Son coming to earth and the importance of being ready for His return.