A Sign from Heaven--Christmas Message (Episode 120)

For many, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. In America, people travel far to be with loved ones this time of the year. But this episode focuses on the real meaning of Christmas for people of faith.

The birth of Christ is the most enduring event in history. Nearly 2000 years later, the world is still talking about Him. Millions around the world are passionately following His teachings.

In the days of King Ahaz, Isaiah the prophet gives us an amazing Messianic prophecy. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel“(Isaiah 7:14, KJV). This virgin birth was given as a sign to King Ahaz that God was with His people.

Why? Because the king of Israel and the king of Syria had joined together to make war against king Ahaz who was king of Judah. They had vowed to destroy Jerusalem and to replace Ahaz with another king. King Ahaz was afraid, and the people of Jerusalem were afraid.

In hindsight, we know this sign from heaven was a reference to the birth of Christ. That’s because the verse refers to a virgin bearing a son. Furthermore, according to the verse, this son shall be called Immanuel. This is consistent with the words found in Matthew 1:23: “They shall call his name Immanuel.”

Though God promised to give this sign from heaven, Ahaz didn’t live to see it. It was more than 700 years after God promised it that Christ was born. To us that is a long, long time. But to God a thousand years are as a day, according to 2 Peter 3:8. So, to God, it was only a few days from the prophecy to the birth of Christ.

"God With Us"

Immanuel, the prophetic name assigned to Jesus, literally means God with us. This name is a reference to the deity of Christ. When Jesus was born, He was the Almighty God living in human flesh among us. He said to Philip, He who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NASB).

Because of this incarnation, Jesus can personally relate to our struggles in the flesh. While on earth, He was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NASB).

The good news of Christmas is that the Son born of a virgin was a sign from heaven that God is with His people. if you have placed your faith in Christ, know that God is with you. Sometimes, it may not feel that way, but God is with you. Moreover, through Christ, you have peace with God.