Main Passages: Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Core Message: The Christmas message is not simply a historical account we read about, but it is the culmination of God’s incredible plan for mankind. Mary birthed the physical Word of God–Jesus–making way for us to now be filled with the Holy Spirit, and 'birth' Jesus in our lives. Just as a woman who is expecting a child changes everything, from the way she eats to the way she thinks, everything in the Christian’s life must change in preparation to bring forth God’s light into a dark world.

The Prophetic Nature of Christ's Birth

God orchestrated all of history to center on the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. The prophecies concerning His birth, life, and purpose were written hundreds of years in advance, demonstrating divine authority and planning.

• Ancient Prediction: Prophecies like Isaiah 7:14 that proclaim that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, Micah 5:2 which states that He would be born in Bethlehem, and Daniel 7:14 which speaks of His glory and indestructible Kingdom, were written 700 plus years before Jesus stepped foot upon the earth, showing God's precise foreknowledge.
• A Singular Purpose: Christ did not come so that the Christian could gain wealth or live a comfortable life. He did not come only to be a good example for us to follow; He came to take away our sins, that we would live in freedom to bring honor to Him.
• The Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus lived a blameless, sinless life so that by His death on the cross, He would take the punishment for humanity's sins, offering both atonement and forgiveness for those who believe in Him. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He gives us the keys to live a sinless life.

The Indwelling Word

When a person surrenders to Jesus Christ and makes Him the Lord of their life, God implants His Holy Spirit within that person, creating a spiritual reality where one carries a ‘Holy seed,’ and must eventually ‘give birth’ to Jesus who is the “Word made flesh.” As Christians, we must be continuously birthing God’s word. The Bible speaks about such truths in Ephesians 1:13-14 and John 1:14.

• A New Creation: This indwelling Spirit fulfills the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:26-27, which promises a new heart to replace the heart of stone and a new spirit that compels the believer to follow God's decrees.
• The Mandate for Change: The Spirit of God is always on the move. Therefore, when a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, that person cannot remain the same. He transforms the believer's actions, speech, intentions, and desires, causing them to die to sinful ways and old habits and submit to the Spirit's leading.
• New Life Foretold: We see that it was prophesied over 2,000 years ago that believers would live a new life—one of biblical discipline and freedom from the perpetual shackles of sin, now empowered by the Spirit of God!

The Mandate to Deliver the Light

The Spirit deposited within the believer is not meant to be kept a secret or remain stagnant within the person; it must grow until it is birthed, entering the world to shine in the darkness!

• Resistance is Guaranteed: The world is filled with spiritual darkness that always resists the light. The light of the Holy Spirit in the believer is not meant to remain hidden; we must not be afraid to let our light shine in this dark world. 
• The Cost of Delivery: Biblical figures like Mary, John the Baptist, and the Apostles faced immense opposition, shame, and even death, yet they could not hold back the Word–they had to bring forth the Light and proclaim the Word of God!
• Bringing the Light Forward: Believers are called to give birth to that which was deposited in them—to rid themselves of old patterns, generational sins, and the darkness of this world. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit until the Spirit's light pours out through every facet of our lives.

Next Step:  Ask yourself - Is God’s miraculous plan being fulfilled in me? The Spirit of God gives new life! What old ways must go so that the Word can birth new life in me?