And this is the way to have eternal life—

to know you,

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

the one you sent to earth.

John 17:3

So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth.

This fulfilled what the prophets had said:

“He will be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew 2:23

…Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said,
“for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:4-6

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.

You rule with a scepter of justice.

You love justice and hate evil.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,

pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

Psalm 45:6-7

His government and its peace

will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice

from the throne of his ancestor David

for all eternity.

The passionate commitment

of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies

will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:7

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

are only a small village among all the people of Judah.

Yet a ruler of Israel,

whose origins are in the distant past,

will come from you on my behalf.

Micah 5:2

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—

yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—

…the earth will shake at the force of his word,

and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.

Isaiah 11:1-2, 4

Olive shoot from the roots of an ancient olive tree in Jerusalem

(photo by Joy Floyd)

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Make the LORD of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life.

He is the one you should fear.

He is the one who should make you tremble.

He will keep you safe…

Isaiah 8:13-14

…must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?

All right then, the LORD himself will give you the sign.

Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son

and will call him Immanuel

(which means ‘God is with us’).

Isaiah 7:13-14