We’ve mostly looked at one prophecy or prediction about Jesus this week, about his virgin birth and being God in the flesh (incarnate).  But Jesus fit many other predictions as well, some of them relating to his birth.

He was born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2.      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 ESV)

He was a refugee in Egypt.

Hosea 11:1 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Together, they all form one picture.

The rightful king of Israel is God himself, he’s come to earth to fulfill the promise that Abraham’s descendents would bless the entire world.  Jesus is a descendent of Abraham and King David.  Jesus did this in dying for the entire world’s sins, and reigns now over his kingdom, which is coming in its fullness.

God has come to us, when we couldn’t get to him.

God has given us the gift of grace, when we have nothing to offer but thanks.

This is most challenging to religious people, because we can become accustomed to knowing about God at a distance, and the systems and codes we put in place for this all get thrown out when God shows up in person, and Knowing About God shifts to simply Knowing God.

Challenge: How can you and/or family focus on this central meaning of Christmas?  Advent is the traditional time for the time before Christmas when Christians prepare themselves to truly enter into the story.

We’ll provide some Advent resources here you might use for you or your family:

Reminder: We have a great Christmas event coming December 14th, 2013: The Original Christmas Party.  Hope you’re coming!

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - June 17, 2013

Monday - A New Idea - The Golden Rule

I'm sure you've seen the posters: Keep Calm and Carry On Have you seen the story of the poster & slogan? Check it out here if you haven't: https://vimeo.com/48907330 It's so popular, they say here, because it's a simple, warm-hearted line to inspire confidence in others in hard times. It's a memorable one-liner, meant to help people get through a war – a time where nothing is familiar, everything changing and dangerous. Life can still be like that – maybe why people love this poster so much. I did a Google search and found all sorts of people offering up their one liner for life. My favourite online life motto: Don't reduce your life to a sentence We'll see tomorrow how Jesus summed up his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with a one-liner. Question: What is your guiding principle in life?

Related Topics: Fear, Law, Love, Rules | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

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