adapted from the book Verbum Caro by St George Preca
The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about Jesus Christ, detailing His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Here are some prophecies concerning His birth:
Genesis 3:15 mentions His descent from human lineage:
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.
Genesis 28:14 foretells he would be born from the Jewish people, descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth… In you and your descendants all the families of the earth will find blessing.
Genesis 49:8 prophesies his descent from the tribe of Judah:
You, Judah, shall your brothers praise, your hand on the neck of your enemies; the sons of your father shall bow down to you.
Jeremiah 23:5 predicts His descent from the family of David:
See, days are coming, oracle of the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous branch for David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.
The Book of Daniel 9:24 indicates the timing of His coming:
Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and for your holy city: Then transgression will stop and sin will end, guilt will be expiated. Everlasting justice will be introduced, vision and prophecy ratified, and a holy of holies will be anointed.
Micah 5:1 prophesies His birth in Bethlehem:
But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.
Isaiah 7:14 foretells His birth from a virgin mother:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel.
The fulfillment of these prophecies is clearly documented in the four Gospels. Indeed, Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, descended from heaven to lead us to the love of God the Father.
