Christmas Past: The Promise in the Darkness

Our Past Is Marked by Sin and Separation

• Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’? ” 

  The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” 

  “No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “In fact, God knows that when  you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:1–7 CSB

God Made a Promise in the Darkness

• I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 CSB

The Old Testament Longs for a Savior

• The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;  a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.  You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy.  The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.  For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders,the staff of their oppressor,just as you did on the day of Midian. For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.  He will be named Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Eternal Father,  Prince of Peace.  The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.  He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:2–7 CSB

• Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me.  His origin  is from antiquity,  from ancient times. Micah 5:2 CSB

• Therefore, the Lord himself will give you  a sign: See, the virgin will conceive,  have a son, and name him Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14 CSB

Christmas Past Reminds Us of God’s Grace and Faithfulness

• Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.  So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8–9 CSB

• For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.  He will be named Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Eternal Father,  Prince of Peace.  The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.  He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6–7 CSB