Jacqui: 0:14

Greetings listeners. Imagine waiting not just for a few weeks or months, but hundreds of years, for a promise to come true. It's like planting a seed for a tree you may never sit under, waiting in faith, hoping the next generation will see its branches grow tall and strong. For the people of Israel, the birth of Jesus was more than a moment of joy. It was the fulfillment of promises spoken by God, foretold by prophets and carried in their hearts for generations. Christmas isn't just about the beginning of a story. It's about the completion of a plan that started long before that silent night in Bethlehem long before that silent night in Bethlehem. Today, we'll connect the dots between the Old Testament and the story of Jesus's birth, uncovering how these ancient promises find their yes in Christ. So grab your Bible, pour yourself a cozy drink and let's dive into the promises of God that make Christmas so much more than just a holiday. Well, welcome everyone.

Jacqui: 1:35

I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where, weekly, we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable, bite-sized chunks. The Old Testament reveals a God who keeps his promises. He orchestrates history and restores his people. From the very beginning, he gave glimpses of a coming Savior, a Messiah who would bring peace, justice and restoration to a weary world. The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of those promises. It's the thread that ties the entire story of Scripture together, from the Garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem, from the Garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem. This Christmas we celebrate not only the child who was born, but the faithfulness of a God who always keeps his word.

Jacqui: 2:44

In today's episode we'll look at five key Old Testament passages that beautifully anticipate the coming of Jesus. Together, we'll see how these ancient promises light up the story of Christmas and invite us to celebrate God's unchanging faithfulness. For each scripture reference, I'll share what the scripture tells us and why it matters. Why it matters First, the promise in Genesis hope amid the fall. To understand the Christmas story, we need to rewind all the way back to the beginning, genesis 3. Adam and Eve have just disobeyed God in the garden and everything seems to unravel. Sin has entered the world, relationships are broken and the perfection of Eden feels lost forever. But even in this moment of failure, god speaks a word of hope To the serpent, satan the deceiver. God says in Genesis 3:15, the deceiver. God says in Genesis 3:15,. Quote, and I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.

Jacqui: 3:57

This verse is often called the Proto-Evangelium, meaning the first gospel. Why? Because it's the first announcement of God's redemptive plan for the world, a plan that points directly to Jesus. Right here, in the middle of humanity's greatest failure, god makes a promise. He hints that an offspring of the woman would come to defeat evil and restore what was broken. Who is this offspring? It's Jesus. His birth marks the beginning of the fulfillment of this promise, a victory over sin and Satan that started in a humble manger and culminated on the cross and in the empty tomb. Now, why does this matter? Think about this At humanity's lowest point. God didn't leave us without hope. Instead, he stepped into the mess and promised redemption. That's the heart of the Christmas story God meeting us in our brokenness with a Savior.

Jacqui: 5:09

The promise in Genesis reminds us that Christmas isn't just about celebrating Jesus' birth. It's about remembering that God always keeps his promises, no matter how dark the moment may seem. Two the covenant with Abraham. A blessing for all. Now let's fast forward to Genesis 12, where God speaks to Abraham and makes a life-changing promise. In verse 3, God says, quote I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Unquote. This is known as the Abrahamic covenant, a foundational promise that sets the stage for the entire biblical story. God tells Abraham that through his family, he will bring a blessing so great that it will touch every nation on earth. So how does this covenant connect to Christmas? The ultimate blessing God promised to Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus, who was born into Abraham's family line. Through Jesus' life, death and resurrection, he offers salvation not just to Israel, but to the entire world. Think about it Jesus wasn't born just for one group of people or one time in history. He came to bring hope and restoration to all people, including you and me. So why does this matter? Well, the Abrahamic covenant reminds us that Christmas isn't just about a baby born in Bethlehem. It's about God's plan to bless every nation and person. From the very beginning, god had all of us in mind. So when we celebrate Christmas, we're celebrating the fulfillment of this ancient promise. It's a reminder that God's love and salvation extend to every corner of the earth and to every heart willing to receive him.

Jacqui: 7:32

Three the prophecy of a king, the promise of peace. Next, let's turn to one of the most powerful Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 6 and 7. Written hundreds of years before his birth, these words paint a stunning picture of the Savior Quote For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of Peace. Unquote. Can you imagine the hope these words must have stirred in the hearts of the people of Israel? For generations they longed for a king who would bring peace and justice, someone to right the wrongs of their world. And here Isaiah describes a ruler unlike any other. Isaiah says a child is born. That means the ruler would be fully human, stepping into our broken world. He also says mighty God. That means the ruler would be fully divine, carrying the authority and power of heaven itself.

Jacqui: 9:00

Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise. But his kingdom didn't look the way people expected. Instead of conquering nations or building a political empire, instead of conquering nations or building a political empire, Jesus established a kingdom of peace in the hearts of those who trust him. He offers us the kind of peace that transcends circumstances, a peace rooted in his presence, his love and his justice and his justice. So why does this matter? Think about this the King Isaiah described isn't just a ruler from the past. Jesus reigns today and his peace is available to us right now. In a world filled with conflict and uncertainty, we can celebrate Christmas knowing that the Prince of Peace has come to bring hope, healing and restoration not just to nations, but to our hearts. This Christmas, we're not just remembering the birth of a king. We're celebrating the reign of a Savior who rules with love and justice and invites us to live under his perfect peace.

Jacqui: 10:21

Four the location of his birth God's precision. Have you ever noticed how God is in the details? One of the clearest examples is found in Micah 5:2, where the prophet says quote but you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel. Unquote this verse, written centuries before Jesus's birth, predicts the Messiah will come from Bethlehem, a tiny, overlooked town with no glamour or power. Think about it God didn't choose a great city like Jerusalem or Rome for the birthplace of his son. Instead, he chose Bethlehem, a town so small, it was almost insignificant, and yet this humble place became the backdrop for the greatest story in history. Now, why does this matter? Why is this detail so important? Because it reminds us of a powerful truth God loves to work through unexpected people and places. Just as he chose Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, he chooses to work through us, no matter how small or insignificant we might feel.

Jacqui: 11:57

The Christmas story is a reminder that God's plans are never random. He sees value where others don't, and he uses what seems ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary. So, as you reflect on the story of Bethlehem, remember this God can use you for his purposes, no matter your circumstances. No matter your circumstances. Five the virgin birth. God with us.

Jacqui: 12:31

Finally, let's reflect on one of the most miraculous parts of the Christmas story the virgin birth. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah, chapter 7, verse 14, quote the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel. Unquote. This prophecy anticipated the miraculous birth of Jesus, as the Gospel of Matthew confirms in Matthew, chapter 1, verse 23. It's a clear sign of Jesus's divine nature fully God, yet fully human.

Jacqui: 13:17

And take a moment to think about the name Emmanuel, which means God with us. It's incredible, isn't it? The God who created the universe didn't stay distant or detached. Instead, he came close, stepping into our world as a baby born in humble circumstances, to live among us and show us his love. This is the heart of Christmas. God didn't leave us alone in our sin and brokenness. He came to us, bridging the gap between heaven and earth, so we could know him personally. And why is this important?

Jacqui: 14:02

The virgin birth isn't just a miraculous event. It's a reminder of how deeply God desires to be with us. Jesus's birth fulfills every promise and prophecy, showing us how far God is willing to go to draw near to us. So this Christmas, remember that Emmanuel isn't just a name, it's a reality. God is with you through every joy, every struggle and every moment of life. That's the gift of Christmas A God who loves us so much that he came to be with us. So what does all of this mean for us today? Jesus' birth isn't just a moment in history. It's the culmination of God's promises fulfilled over centuries. The Christmas story reminds us that God is faithful to his word. Just as the people of Israel waited in hope, we too, can trust him to keep his promises, no matter how impossible it may seem.

Jacqui: 15:18

This week, I encourage you to read one of the Old Testament prophecies we discussed, like Isaiah 9: 6-7, or Micah 5: 2. Reflect on how Jesus' birth fulfills it and let it deepen your understanding of God's faithfulness. This Christmas, so in closing, Christmas is a time to celebrate, but it's also a moment to reflect on the incredible story of God's redemption. From Genesis to Bethlehem, his plan has always been about bringing us back to Him, and the best part is the story includes you. Thanks for joining me today and, as always, keep reading, keep seeking and keep growing in your faith. Merry Christmas to all. Thank you so much for listening. So that we may spread God's word further. Please share, like, follow, comment and subscribe.