The Second Sunday of Advent — Faith

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

We have been talking about the meaning of advent. Last week we talked about the first Sunday of Advent, and the first purple candle represents HOPE.

The second Sunday of Advent is also a purple candle which represents FAITH.

If we are really honest, the entire Christmas story is one of FAITH. Here are nine Old Testament prophecies about the birth of Christ:

1. Jesus would be filled with power, peace, and the Spirit from birth:

Isaiah 9:6 – 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.

Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal^[a] the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners;

2. Jesus would be born of a virgin
   Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
3. Jesus would be born in Bethlehem
   Micah 5:2 – Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah;
   one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin^[a]is from antiquity, from ancient times.
4. A star would point the way to Jesus
   Numbers 24:17 – I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near.
   A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel.
   He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.
5. Gifts would be presented to Jesus
   Psalm 72:10-11 – May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow in homage to him, all nations serve him.
6. The shepherds will worship Jesus
   Psalm 72:9 – May desert tribes kneel before him and his enemies lick the dust.
7. Sorrow would surround the time of Jesus’ birth and many children would be killed
   Jeremiah 31:15 – This is what the Lordsays: A voice was heard in Ramah,
   a lament with bitter weeping— Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children because they are no more.
8. Jesus would come before the destruction of Jerusalem & Temple
   Daniel 9:25-26 – Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree
   to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an Anointed One, the ruler will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat,
   but in difficult times. After those sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming ruler will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war;
   desolations are decreed.
9. Jesus’ lineage would be confirmed through Scripture:
   Abraham – Genesis 12:3
   Isaac – Genesis 17:21
   Jacob – Genesis 28:14
   Judah – Genesis 49:8
   Jesse – Isaiah 11:1
   David – Isaiah 9:7 & Jeremiah 23:5

Does it take faith to believe the Christmas story? Absolutely. But the New Testament records the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. If you’d like to have those references, send me an email: bwelte@americaskeswick.org.

Have a great week.

Living in light of the gospel,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we ^[l]may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.- Hebrews 12:28-29