Matthew 2: 4-5 ” When he had called together all the people’s Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea.’ they replied…”

When King Herod needed information, he went to the source.  That’s why he called in the  most intelligent and learned Jewish historians of the day…who in turn quoted the Prophet Micah as to the birth place of the Messiah.  But we also have that same source today at our disposal, for the future has been foretold to us.  And in Revelation 22:20 it is made quite plain…”Yes, I am coming soon.”

Luke 2:4 ” So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Caesar Augustus had decreed a census of the entire Roman world…and so everyone had to travel to their home town to register.  If it hadn’t been for that, Joseph probably wouldn’t have subjected his very pregnant wife, Mary, to the long, hard journey on bumpy roads.  But God used a godless Roman King to fulfill His ultimate purpose  and plan.  What we see as just common, ordinary, unrelated threads in our life, God is using to weave a tapestry of unbelievable beauty according to His will.

Micah 5:2 ” But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Even 700 years later, this prophecy written by  Micah was still revered as the telling where Jesus Christ would be born.  The Messiah would be born in a  humble place, in very humble circumstances, amongst humble people…people like you and me.

Luke 2:14 ” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

The angels were heralding the coming of Messiah to all mankind.  They were announcing to everyone that harmony and prosperity has always been God’s benevolent plan for the world.  And even today, the Lord’s purpose and motive for the earth remains  good and righteous.

Luke 1: 26-27 ” In the sixth month, 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. The virgin’s name was Mary.”

The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy came to pass in the small town of Nazareth…to a young girl named Mary.   This miraculous conception was wonderfully accomplished by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.  A tiny baby born of man, but born also of God…perfectly holy, yet  sharing in our humanity.

Malachi 3:1 ” See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me.”

Malachi was speaking of the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.  The forerunner,  John the Baptist, came preaching a very simple sermon…Repent!  His message from the start was that someone much more important than he was soon coming, and everyone should ready themselves.  John’s words ring true even today…Repent!  For the time is short.  Change your ways, for the King is coming!

Micah 2:13 ” One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out.”

This verse references Jesus the Messiah – the one whose death on the cross opened our way to God. Jesus goes before us making a way when there seems to be none. For not only did He kick wide open the gate for us, He is the Way.
And with jubilant shouts, we too can burst through the gate that has kept us from God.