According to the Old Testament — which makes up over half of the Christian Bible — God promised Abraham that the entire world would be blessed through his offspring. Jacob prophesized that among his 12 sons, the royal line would come through his son Judah. God promised King David that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. The prophet Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The list goes on.
Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth is that Promised Deliverer and that he fulfilled all those prophesies. Although Jesus was not born on December 25, that has always been the date on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus to his mother Mary in Bethlehem in four or five B.C.
But Christians also believe that many of those Old Testament references refer to a Messiah who is more than a ruler or a teacher.
Isaiah prophesied the Messiah would be called “Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” and that “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”
