The prophets of God said that a Savior would come into the world to redeem man and save him from the penalty of sin.  The celebrated time of Christ's birth is a perfect time to remember God's promises to send our Savior.  There are too many scriptures foretelling Jesus's birth, ministry and suffering to include in this newsletter, although here are a few in remembrance of the profound fulfillment of prophecies given thousands of years ago: 

The Messiah would be born of a virgin  
 Prophetic Scripture:  The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a Son and will call His name Immanuel (meaning God with us - among numerous other names identified by the prophet Isaiah).  Isaiah 7:14 (~740 BC).  Fulfilled:  In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.  The angel came to her and said, "Hail, you who are highly favored; the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women."  The angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive and bring forth a Son and you will call His name Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew, which means Salvation)."  Luke 1:26-31.  

The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem  
 Prophetic Scripture:  You, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall He come forth to Me, He that is to be ruler in Israel, whose going forth has been from old, from everlasting.  Micah 5:2 (~700 BC)  Fulfilled:  Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the City of Nazareth, into Judea to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.  So it was while they were there, the days were completed that she should deliver, and she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:4-7.

The Messiah would be declared the Son of God
Prophetic Scripture:  I will declare the deree: The Lord said to me, "You are My Son; this day I have begotten You." Pslam 2:7 (~900 BC).  Fulfilled:  Lo, a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17
 
The Messiah's triumphant entry into Jerusalem
Prophetic Scripture:  Rejoice greatly, oh daughter of Zion; shout, oh daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you; He is just and has salvation, lowly, and riding upon a colt, the foal of an ass.  Zechariah 9:9 (~520 BC).  Fulfilled:  They brought the colt to Jesus and cast their garments on him and He sat on him.  And they that went before Him and followed Him cried, saying, "Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."  And Jesus entered Jerusalem and into the temple...Mark 11:7,9,11.

The Messiah would be rejected by the people 
Prophetic Scripture:  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and we hid our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him.  Isaiah 53:3 (~740 BC).  Fulfilled:  They cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him."  Pilate said to them, "Should I crucify your King?"  The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."  John 19:15.

The Messiah would be crucified among criminals
Prophetic Scripture:  I will give Him a portion with the great and He will divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out his soul to death and He was numbered with transgressors; He bore the sins of many, making intercession for the transgressors.  Isaiah 53:12 (~740 BC).   Fulfilled:  He was crucified with two thieves, one on His right, and the other on His left.  Mark 15:27

Never a man spoke like this man, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.  No one fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah to come like Jesus.  He died to pay the penalty for our sins, so we could have eternal life.  If you haven't received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, won't you take care of your eternal soul and destiny today?  You only need to say a simple prayer form your heart, asking God to forgive you of your sins; and after you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, follow His teachings outlined in the Word of God.  God bless you and Merry Christmas!