The transformation of the world begins with the birth of a Baby in a stable in the backwater of the bustle of a busy town…
At the beginning God expressed himself.
That personal expression, that word, was with God,
and was God, and he existed with God from the beginning.
All creation took place through him,
and none took place without him.
In him appeared life and this life was the light of mankind.
The light still shines in the darkness
and the darkness has never put it out…
So the word of God became a human being and lived among us.
John 1:1-5,14 (JB Phillips version)
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one of a kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
John 1:14 (The Message)
From Matthew’s Gospel (1st century AD)
When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:
It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear.?From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”
(The Message)
From the Prophet Micah (8th century BC)
But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter – from you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel.?He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.? His family tree is ancient and distinguished.?Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel.?He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength, centred in the majesty of God-Revealed.?And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect –
Peacemaker of the world!
(The Message)
Isaiah the Prophet speaking about the birth of Jesus 700 years before it actually happened…
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
(NIV)
“So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She’ll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us).”
(The Message)
