Christmas in the Old Testament

Christmas in the Old Testament God has been telling the story of Jesus since the beginning! Have you ever watched a movie a second time with new eyes and seen details and clues that you missed or didn’t even know to watch for the first time? We can look at the Old Testament the same way! The Promised Seed—Genesis 3:15 God says that the offspring of the woman will crush Satan but that Satan will attack that person—there will be a cost. Think of a rescue plan that begins before the disaster has fully unfolded. God announces the solution before man understands the problem! Salvation is God’s initiative, not man’s idea. Jesus’ birth fulfills a promise thousands of years in the making. Why do you think God revealed His rescue plan so early? Does this change how you view Christmas—not as sentiment but strategy? Bethlehem: City of Shepherds, Kings, and Sacrifice—1 Samuel 16:1, Micah 5:2 Bethlehem is the birthplace of King David and the birthplace of the true King! Imagine announcing the birth of a future world leader not at a palace, but in a rural farming town known for livestock. God often chooses meaningful places, not impressive ones. Jesus was born where sacrificial lambs were raised. What expectations do we bring as to where God “should” work? Why do you think God values symbolism over spectacle? Passover Foreshadowing at the Manger—Exodus 12:6-7, 13 The shepherds watching sacrificial lambs hear about the birth of the sacrificial Lamb of God. Those with the blood of the lamb on their doorpost were saved from death, we are saved from death by the blood of Jesus. Think of a fire alarm going off before the fire reaches the building. God’s warning and provision comes early! Deliverance requires sacrifice. Jesus is born into the system He will ultimately fulfill and replace. Why is it important that Jesus’ mission is clear from His birth? How does Passover deepen the meaning of Christmas? God Dwelling With His People (Tabernacle to Incarnation)—Exodus 40:34 What once required a tent, priests, and sacrifices now takes on flesh. God’s plan has always been to live with us. It’s the difference between calling customer service and having the CEO show up personally! God doesn’t just send help—He comes Himself. Jesus is God’s presence among ordinary people. Why do people struggle with the idea of God becoming human? How does this affect how we approach God today? The King Without a Palace—Zechariah 9:9 Jesus is legally and prophetically a King, yet born without earthly power. He is like a crown hidden in a toolbox—royalty disguised as humility. God’s kingdom advances quietly before it advances visibly. Jesus’ authority comes from God, not appearances. Why do we often confuse power with importance? What does Jesus’ birth teach us about leadership? Immanuel: God With Us—Isaiah 7:14 The virgin birth is not just miraculous, it’s theological. It is like a parent getting down on the floor to meet a child at eye level. God enters our condition, not just our world. Jesus doesn’t shout salvation from heaven—He walks it out among us. Why does “God with us” matter more than “God over us”? Where do you most need to remember God is present? Light in Darkness—Isaiah 9:2 Jesus’ birth signals new creation, not just moral instruction. It is like flipping a light switch in a pitch black room—darkness doesn’t fight back. Jesus doesn’t negotiate with darkness—He overcomes it. Christmas is the beginning of restoration. Where do you see darkness in the world today? How does Jesus’ birth give you hope beyond circumstances? God’s Pattern: The Humble Over the Powerful—Judges 6:15-16 God consistently works through the overlooked. It is like a small key that opens a massive door. God values obedience over position. The gospel spreads through faithfulness, not fame. Why do we resist God’s preference for humility? How might God be working through small things in your life? Jesus fulfills the story God has been telling all along!