BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.

The birth of Jesus Christ was the most widely anticipated and prophesied event in the history of the word. In this single act, divinity and mortality united in a Savior who would balance the scales of justice and thereby make it possible for the human family to achieve eternal life. Ancient prophets wrote of Christ’s coming and of His atoning mission. In the book of Isaiah, for example, we read, “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). In an earlier chapter in that book, Isaiah foretold Christ’s birth itself, saying: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The Old Testament prophet Micah, who prophesied the downfall of Jerusalem, also foretold of the Savior: “Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth . . . to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). These poetic words in the Old Testament helped set the stage for His coming among the Jews, who watched for centuries for signs that Jehovah, their Redeemer, was at last among them.