For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given … Did you hear what I hear? It’s from the Old Testament writer Isaiah.  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given …

It’s what Isaiah writes in Isaiah 9:6, the record of an event no one can totally comprehend. Not only that but Isaiah succinctly pens two diverse sides of a miraculous event which not only introduces us to the greatest gift given to humanity by God, His only begotten son Jesus, but Isaiah also includes two principles that undergird the entire Bible. These two principles are the interchange between the physical and the spiritual manifestations of Jesus Christ: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given … Thus, this teaching may take you on an unexpected journey as the birth of Jesus is explored.

The text of the Bible records both physical and spiritual events, often simultaneously.

The Word of God simultaneously records, through the same and/or related passages (even often in a given word), both physical and spiritual messages. So it is with this passage in Isaiah; we are given both physical and spiritual facts about Jesus Christ. Isaiah, through the mind of Christ, looks forward some 700 years as he prophetically records both the physical and spiritual birth of Jesus Christ. The physical is expressed, a child is born; the spiritual is recorded,  a son is given.

In God’s perfect timing (in the fullness of time), this preannounced prophetic event was unveiled to a chaste, engaged (espoused) virgin by an angel: And behold, thou [Mary] shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Luke 1:31 However, a major question was posed by Mary to the angel: How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Luke 1:34 Surely none of us, given the time in which Mary lived, could conceive of such a miracle—to become pregnant without having a sexual relationship with a man.

Mary had been engaged to Joseph. This chaste man and woman had not partaken in the sin of fornication; thus, it was necessary for the LORD to explain to Mary, and those who would come after, how this could be possible. The angel explained: … The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

Joseph, likewise, had no spiritual insight into his beloved’s pregnancy. Thus, the LORD knew that an explanation by Mary would not suffice as this was most assuredly impossible in the natural sense. Therefore, God also sent an angel to explain this supernatural phenomenon to Joseph some three months later: … for that which is conceived in her [Mary] is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21

For more details on the espousal of Mary and Joseph and the potential birth date of Jesus, view our teaching and video by clicking on this link: https://www.restorationofthefamily.org/a-perplexing-christmas-celebration/

Succinctly summarized: Mary brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger. That’s the physical side.

The Divine side: unprecedented.

The divine side is expressed: unto us a son is given. That physical child was the Son of God; He whom God gave to man. Who is this child spiritually? Isaiah records in Isaiah 7:14: … Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel; and in Isaiah 9:6: … and the government shall be upon his shoulder …

The New Testament gospel writer, Matthew, not only corroborates Isaiah’s prophesy, but also further enlightens the powerful interpretation of Immanuel: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel (the New Testament spelling of Immanuel), which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

The Word of God (the Bible) is holy, 100% accurate, and is not to be altered by man as from IT, we learn Who God is.

I [God] have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Isaiah 48:3

Matthew and Luke, two of many holy men chosen by God to accurately preserve His historical record, verify Isaiah’s writing that God was manifest in the flesh and born through the womb of a virgin girl. This baby, Jesus, would also fulfill a long line of consistent prophecies, even as early as the record in Genesis 3:15; that is, our Redeemer and Saviour (Jesus) would be delivered through the seed of the woman: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15 This seed, and many different aspects of It, was revealed to Abraham and many others throughout history who prophesied, under the power of the Holy Ghost, exact details of events hundreds of years before they were fulfilled.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Isaiah 46:9-10 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.  Isaiah 42:9

Isaiah was chosen by God to record that our Saviour, King, Messiah would be born of a virgin. Micah, on the other hand, was commissioned to record the place of His birth. Through Daniel, we learn of timelines tied to specific dates in the life of Jesus.

God uses skills of people from all walks of life for His purposes.

Matthew begins his gospel demonstrating the “oneness” of both Testaments. He ties them together through the recording of the supernatural conception of Jesus. Matthew, a tax collector, skillfully interlinks a selection of the descendants of Jesus: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

The word son contextually here means descendant while also including the promises God made to David and to Abraham, some of which were now coming to pass through the generation of Jesus Christ. Tax collectors were not liked as they often extorted the people. They charged much more than what was decreed, and thus they became very wealthy. Yet, God transformed Matthew into a disciple who used his skills and knowledge to record important generational information and details others would not have known.

Why the man Jesus?

Who [Jesus], being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God … and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men … humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8 This statement of deity (that Jesus is God) is misunderstood by many, often because modern authors rewrite God’s words. One of the reasons given by the Jews for crucifying Jesus was because Jesus told them He was God. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him [Jesus], because … he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. John 5:18

There was no doubt that Jesus KNEW Who He was and verified the same. He was equal with God, even as He walked as a man on this earth: Emmanuel, God with us. As believers, we must agree with God and share and live what He has recorded in the Bible, else we lie. We are charged with the responsibility to teach and follow the Word, not to rewrite the Author’s words. God wrote the words in the Bible through holy men whom He specifically chose to do so. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21

Consider the table below showing the preserved Greek text for Philippians 2:6 (from which the English is translated). In the rows below the Greek text, notice that only the King James Bible correctly preserves the text while the authors of the NIV, NASV, and ESV insert egregious opinions: untruths.

Who can shed innocent blood?

Without the physical birth of the Messiah (Jesus Christ), there is no good news. Without His taking on human flesh, there could be no cross. Taking on human flesh does not imply that Jesus had His beginning when manifest as God in the flesh. Jesus has always BEEN, even before the beginning of time with God; however, He had to be manifest in the flesh to shed His innocent blood on the cross to pay the price for our sin debt (sins from which we repent: turn from).

The price of redemption (paying “wages” for sin debt) requires the shedding of innocent human blood. Innocent blood is only possible if a person lives without committing sin. Otherwise, the penalty (payment) is eternal separation from God:  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 Jesus is the only person Who lived a sinless life. His “seed” was provided to Mary when … The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee [Mary] and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee [Mary] … Luke 1:35 However, even Mary was not sinless, and she did not become sinless because she bore the Christ child in her womb.

Jesus conquered death on the cross with His innocent SHED BLOOD and rose from that death, conquering death and bringing us full circle back to the fulfilled prophesied seed which would one day bruise the head of Satan (as recorded in Genesis 3:15) and completed on the cross at Calvary.

God is a spirit and thus could not shed blood.

What are the attributes of a spirit? A spirit does not have flesh and bones (and blood, an understood necessity for there to be life in flesh and bones). When the disciples first saw Jesus after His bodily resurrection, they were afraid and wrongly thought He was a spirit. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. Luke 24:37

The Holy Ghost chose a doctor, Luke, to record not only details about Mary’s pregnancy but also the important transmission of the difference between a spirit and a human body. What Dr. Luke included in the conversation between Jesus and His disciples was to verify for them (and us) that the risen Jesus was not a spirit (even though He had a spirit and soul). Jesus showed His disciples why they should have known He was not a spirit and said: Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:39

Jesus’ body had not only blood but innocent blood.

Paul, in his teaching to the Corinthians stated: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God … 1 Corinthians 15:50 Moses recorded this same message in Genesis 9:4: But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof …

Moses also recorded a powerful summary in Leviticus 17:11. It is a foreshadowing of what happened on the cross of Calvary through the innocent shed blood of Jesus. Even though the immediate message in Leviticus dealt with other issues, the principle of life being in the blood is unchanging: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11

God is a spirit. A spirit, by definition, is invisible. It does not have any physical form. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 God, Himself, has no physical, visible form as we know it. This is one of the reasons that the Lord does not allow idols of Him to be made. How God can exist as a spirit without any sort of body is a spiritual mystery. Spirit is not so much an attribute of God as it is a mode of His existence. God acts and exists as a spirit. Jesus said: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 (Even though, as recorded in the Old Testament, God led Israel by means of a pillar of fire, He was never physically seen by the Israelites.)

It must be in Bethlehem, but how?

The Scripture, and historical records, confirm that the physical birth of Jesus was accurately foretold some 700 years before the subsequent delivery of that babe Who was laid in a manger. This was nine months after the Holy Ghost came upon Mary, who was a virgin, and the power of the Highest supernaturally overshadowed her, impregnating Mary with the Son of God, her firstborn child. Review Luke 1:35. (Mary subsequently gave birth to several children who were conceived naturally. (See references to her other children: The Gospel of Mark (6:3) and that of Matthew (13:55–56) mention James, Joseph/Joses, Judas/Jude and Simon as brothers of Jesus, who was the son of Mary. These same verses also mention unnamed sisters of Jesus. They would technically have been step-siblings as these aforementioned were birthed of the seed of a different father than was Jesus.)

However, there arises another important prophetic fact that must also be substantiated—where the physical birth of Jesus took place. The Old Testament prophet, Micah (who was a contemporary of Isaiah), also recorded the exact location at which the Messiah would be born some 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus. It would be in a tiny village named Bethlehem.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah [Ephratah was mentioned by Micah to distinguish this birth place from another Bethlehem in the tribe of Zebulon] though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth … whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2 There were over 2,000 villages and towns in the densely populated areas allotted to the tribe of Judah; yet, the birth of Jesus took place in God’s chosen, predestinated place: Bethlehem. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I [God] declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Isaiah 42:9

God is in control, not the government.

God did the impossible—impregnated a virgin through the hand of the Holy Ghost. After this miraculous conception, and Mary’s covenant marriage to Joseph, the time for Jesus to be delivered was at hand. However, there was a huge issue. Mary and Joseph were not living in Bethlehem, the birthplace foretold through the prophet Micah. Was he a false prophet? This chaste husband and wife were living in Nazareth where Joseph had built his carpenter’s trade with no plans to relocate to Bethlehem, some 90 miles away.

It’s just not fair to assess more taxes, or is it?

How could God allow this to happen? The ruler over the land, Caesar Augustus, wanted more money for his exploits, therefore, he decreed everyone would be assessed an additional tax: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Luke 2:1,3

Every Word of God is pure … Proverbs 30:5 Thus, in Luke 2:1, the LORD inspired Luke to accurately record a vital fact which, properly and contextually interpreted (to be taxed), gives the urgent, oppressive obligation for even the poor to travel to their town of lineage. This decree, likewise, created the urgency to force Joseph and Mary, who were of modest means, and at such an inopportune time, to travel to Bethlehem. As noted in the table, new version authors insert their wrongful personal interpretation with the word registered/census in Luke 2:1. There’s a huge difference contextually between being taxed and being registered.

There were five different types of taxation in ancient Israel; one of those was a poll tax instituted when taxing persons instead of property first began. The poll tax was likely this type that Caesar Augustus decreed which was announced near the time of Jesus’ birth. With this tax, the subjects under Caesar’s reign had to report to the city of their lineage: And Joseph [and Mary] also went out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he [Joseph] was of the house and lineage of David. Luke 2:4 The “house” of David was located in Bethlehem.

Caesar cared not about individual hardships such as those to be experienced by Joseph and Mary who were poor and that she was about to deliver their first child. She and Joseph would be required to embark upon a three-day arduous trip to Bethlehem over rough terrain and likely travel through potentially dangerous territory.

Mary would have delivered the Christ child in the wrong place, and God’s prophecy through the prophet Micah would have failed.

However, more important PROPHETICALLY, absent Caesar’s tax, within a few more days, Mary would have delivered the Christ child in the wrong place, and God’s prophecy through the prophet Micah would have failed. With God, false statements are impossible. The Messiah must be born, not in Nazareth, but in Bethlehem as prophesied some 700 years earlier by Micah: … out of thee [Bethlehem] shall he [the Messiah, Jesus] come … Micah 5:2

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Neither Mary and Joseph nor Caesar was in control. God was then—AND NOW! Caesar, a harsh ruler was born Gaius Octavius, an adopted son of Julius Caesar. He took on the title Augustus meaning one with godlike qualities, preferring Augustus Caesar over the title, King Caesar or Pharaoh Caesar. However, this narcissistic, politically harsh, powerful man was unknowingly part of fulfilling God’s prophecy with his wicked taxation decree. His tyrannical act “worked” for God’s glory. As always, the Scripture proves: This is the LORD’s doing … Psalm 118:23 The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem as a result of Augustus Caesar’s taxation decree.

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? John 7:42

And Joseph also went … out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [See Matthew 1:1-16] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2:4-5

God is never late. But … an animal feeding trough?

So how did God get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem? It was through the greedy, wicked decree of Caesar.

Joseph and Mary set out for Bethlehem and arrived there just in time for her to give birth to her firstborn son and to place him in a manger; yes, in a feeding trough for animals. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 How could this be! Baby Jesus was placed in a structure from which animals were fed.

No room?

There was no room for our Saviour, King, Messiah in Bethlehem. Perhaps there’s a subliminal message from Luke 2:7 for each of us.

• Is there “room” in our busy schedule to fit in time to study the Bible each day?
• Is there “room” to attend church services?
• Is there even “room” for the pure Word in its entirety to be preached from the pulpit?

The sign for the shepherds was a manger …

Luke’s recording of the Messiah’s entry into this world in human flesh was without fanfare. Our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in an animal feeding trough, a manger, because there was no room available in Bethlehem.

Luke immediately takes us from the birth scene to a group of lowly, second-class shepherds … abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 Suddenly, these rugged shepherds, who were accustomed and equipped to deal with night-time attacks, were greatly frightened. And wouldn’t all of us be likewise? An angel appeared … and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:9

The manger became a vital sign.

The angel, however, gave the shepherds comforting words, telling them not to be afraid for he was bringing them great news: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

With this succinct announcement of our LORD and Saviour’s birth, immediately came the fanfare the world should be resounding: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14

The shepherds were told, within moments, what some Christians study for a lifetime to understand: born for them was the Saviour, Christ the LORD. They, like every person, (even the mother of Jesus) needed a saviour. What was this succinct message for all? Who was this Saviour? He was Christ the LORD Who, through God, brings blessings to the just and unjust! The burden of their message was Glory to God; peace and good will toward men.

Study the following table which records the message this Babe in the manger sends TO ALL: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Sadly, those who wish to rewrite God’s history have made personal interpretations not present in the underlying Greek manuscript from which this message is taken. They wrongly limit God’s favour.

Every detail is so well planned, every word is vital; or as Jesus so critically puts it: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18 That’s why no one should add to or subtract from the words recorded in the Bible.

Have you wondered to whom the multitude of angels were giving glory as recorded by Luke in 2:13-14? Perhaps this same writer who penned the message from Gabriel to Mary (Luke) gives us textual context as a cross reference in Luke 1:35. Study this below. Notice the same underlying Greek word for Highest is in both Scriptures (Luke 1:35 and Luke 2:14): #5310, hupsistou: the Highest (God).

To confess Jesus as the “Christ” means we proclaim that we believe He is the anointed one of whom the Old Testament prophets spoke. The word Christ is the Greek rendition of the Hebrew word Messiah. Jesus was the one appointed by God to assume the royal, priestly office of the promised Messiah. Just confessing this belief, however, is not the same thing as confessing Jesus as LORD. Confessing Jesus as LORD means to follow the teachings of this Word made flesh.  In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us … John 1:1,14 To confess that Jesus is Lord is to say that we are willing to submit to and obey Him. For Jesus said: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46

It was the shepherds, not the wise men, who visited Jesus at the manger.   

The angel told the shepherds where they could find Jesus. There likely may have been other newborns as thousands of people were traveling to pay their assessed taxes; however, rarely would there be a newborn lying in a manger. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 The shepherds responded and acted immediately: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:15 These shepherds seemingly knew the Old Testament better than many today. The angel only told them that Jesus was born in the city of David. However, they knew that the City of David was Bethlehem.

And they [the shepherds] came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16 After they saw Jesus, they immediately went and shared what they had seen: And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:17 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20

These humble shepherds, like Matthew and Luke, also became instruments in the hand of God. These shepherds’ attitude was quite unlike that of Augustus Caesar. They had somehow studied the prophets of old so when the angel (and host of angels) visited them, their fertile hearts were ready to seek the Saviour, Christ the LORD. They went and found Him and immediately became witnesses. How about you?

Continue to study to shew yourself approved unto God. (See 2 Timothy 2:15.)

We have many articles and materials available on our website for further study. We are blessed when we hear from you and welcome your questions and prayer requests.

If you do not have a King James Bible and would like a complimentary one, please write to us, and we will send one to you while our supplies last. This offer is good only for those with U. S. Postal addresses and until January 15, 2021. Merry Christmas. We look forward to hearing from you.

In Christ’s Service,

Judith Brumbaugh

President/Founder

Restoration Of The Family, Inc.