What does “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” really mean? Discover the life-changing meaning of this powerful prophecy from the book of Isaiah. This prophetic verse is of the wider message of Isaiah, one of the major prophets of the Old Testament.

It was given hundreds of years before the birth of the Christ child. It brings together the tender humanity and fragility of Jesus’ human experience together with His timeless divinity.

Jesus was fully God and fully human. Isaiah’s prophetic declaration rings out with joy at the future birth of the One who will save humanity from their sins.

This famous prophecy is found in the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. In it, he declares the coming of the Holy Child. Jesus will be, born of a virgin in a stable in Bethlehem of Judea.

In this Holy Spirit inspired declaration, Isaiah proclaims the coming King. He points its readers towards the Good news of the gospel and the real meaning of Christmas.

Theologians differ in detailing the exact number of prophesies that Jesus fulfilled. Conservative estimates would put the number at around 300. The birth of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament many times. They vary in their emphasis and narrative, of course. In this famous Isaiah 9 passage, Jesus’ divine attributes and humble origins are the major emphasis. Others like this one in Isaiah 7, speak of Him as Immanuel or God with us.

Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Each of the prophesies is inspired by the Holy Spirit. At the same time, they contain something of the human perspective of the prophet himself. Taken together then, they provide a rich and fascinating picture of Jesus – as God and as Perfect Man.

The incredible accounts of Jesus’ birth are carried in all four gospels. But if you’re looking for some references then we’d recommend Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-2 as a start.

In reality, Christ could have been born anywhere and at any time in history. So it’s significant then, that He was born to a virgin in a forgotten part of Galilee, in the humblest of circumstances.

Surely, this is no accident. By aligning Himself with humble people, He makes a powerful statement about the nature of His earthly ministry and Father God’s heart for the refugees and the marginalized.

In Matthew 2:1-12 we read of the visit of the Magi, a traveling group of astronomers who were deeply impacted by an unusual star in the night sky. As they followed it, it came to rest over the place where Jesus was being looked after by Mary and Joseph.

Truly the words of the famous carol, “and heaven and nature sing” ring true. Even the stars in their orbit speak about the Messiah’s coming!

Its incredible to think both the shepherds and the Magi were impacted by these celestial miracles. One with an angelic visitation and the other with an unusual star. It is as if The Lord wanted to reach all people from different backgrounds with the same message of hope. And this remains our own Good news today. Whilst we were far off, Christ came to rescue humanity and save us from our sins.

The significance of Jesus’ birth for humanity is that through our faith in Christ, we can have eternal life. The meaning of Christmas is that Immanuel, God with us, came to earth as a child. He came to restore us to our relationship with Father God by atoning for our sins on the cross. Christmas acts as the opening chapter in this incredible story!

Wherever you find yourself at Christmas time, we pray that you will know the peace of Jesus. He paid the atoning sacrifice for our sins and made a way for us to have eternal life. He now intercedes for us in Heaven.

Friend, if you’re reading this today, you have a hope and a future. Jesus has a plan for you! The child that was born so many years ago will return in victory as the King of kings. We encourage you to make room in your heart for Him today!

Photo by Ryan Hutton on Unsplash

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Want to know more about the Nativity story? These bible verses for Christmas 2023, will help you understand the wonder of Christmas. Choose a couple of your favorites to send in Christmas cards for loved ones, or for your reflection. We pray that they will bring you closer to the Saviour this Christmas season.

First of all, let’s look at the verses that prophesy the Messiah’s coming.

The Prophecy and Promise of Christmas

Some theologians believe that there are over 300 verses in the Old Testament that speak about the birth of Jesus. They were written long before He was even born. God who sent His son to earth is working out His perfect plan for the redemption of creation!

5. Isaiah 40:9 – “Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!'”

6. Isaiah 52:9 – “Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.”

7. Isaiah 11:10 – “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.”

Secondly let’s look at some significant verses that speak about the nativity story.

8. Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

9. Luke 2:10-11 – “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

10. John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus birth is elevated to a significant universal event by these synoptic gospel writers. His birth has given us the hope of eternal life and personal salvation for everyone who believes!

11. Luke 2:14 – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

12. Matthew 2:1-2 – “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”

13. Luke 2:8 – “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

14. Luke 2:15 – “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.'”

Its no accident that the Shepherds were the first group of people to see the Baby Jesus. The Shepherds were ordinary Jesus, known as the Good Shepherd, who identifies with ordinary people like you and me. He could have been born in a palace. Instead, He chooses an animal shelter.

Jesus crashes through social barriers and makes no preference for class or social status. No matter who you are or where you live, know that you have a Saviour who identifies with you. And He wants to walk with you throughout your life!

15. Luke 2:16 – “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

16. Luke 2:20 – “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

17. Luke 2:25 – “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

18. Luke 2:26 – “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

19. Luke 2:29-32 – “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

A devout man, Simeon had been waiting His whole life to see the Messiah. He testified that the baby was the Messiah, by the witness of the Holy Spirit within Him.

20. Matthew 2:10-11 – “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.”

21. Matthew 2:11 – “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

These Magi, traditionally wise men in school nativities, were astronomers. They recognized that something was different in the sky on the night of Jesus’ birth. And, in doing so, they recognized that Jesus was a special child.

22. Matthew 2:9-10 – “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

23. Matthew 2:12 – “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

Finally, let’s read about Jesus’ family miraculous escape from Herod, into the land of Egypt.

24. Matthew 2:13 – “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.'”

25. Matthew 2:15 – “and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.'”

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash and Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Join ordinary people around the world who continue to follow Jesus and share the true meaning of Christmas.

The birth of Jesus was the beginning of something the world had never seen! He modeled life for all of us—perfectly! And He sacrificed His life to save us from our sins—to save all people from their sins—so that each and every man, woman, and child can have a personal, life-transforming relationship with God.

The birth we celebrate was only the beginning of a mission we carry on today. Jesus, the baby worshiped by shepherds and kings, grew to teach and challenge and call others to follow Him. To build His kingdom.  

To those who saw and listened, Jesus never built a church building. No glorious temple. No well-tuned school, organization, or institution. He traveled with little more than his clothes on his back and shoes on his feet. He sometimes “had no place to lay his head.” Even his grave was borrowed. It was hardly the making of a Kingdom.

When Jesus returned to heaven, having accomplished the mission of eternal life to all who believed, he left nothing behind. Nothing…but people.

Just people. Men like Peter and John and Matthew. Women like Mary and Martha. Ordinary people—nothing to make them stand out in a crowd.

Except that they had walked with Jesus. Listened to Jesus. Put their life on the line to follow Him, and to live out His teaching.

Only people. Like you and me. Like the millions around the world who’ve heard the story and received the message of Jesus in faith. Those who continue to step out and follow Him, no matter where or what the cost. This Christmas, remember the blessing you have in knowing Christ. And join those who continue to build His Kingdom by sharing the Gospel with those still waiting to join us in this glorious story!    

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!