Prophetic utterances are consistent with the events they predict. Micah stated of Jesus that "at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth" (Mic 5:4). Gabriel told Zacharias that "'he will be great in the sight of the Lord'" (Lk 1:15). He told Mary "'he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High'" (:32). Mary declared, "'the Mighty One has done great things for me'" (Lk 1:49). His name is the "Mighty God" (Isa 9:6). Jeremiah said, "'There is none like You, O Lord; You are great, and great is Your name in might'" (Jer 10:6). Moses said, "'The Lord your God is . . . the great, the mighty, and the awesome God'" (Dt 10:17). Nehemiah emphasizes that it is God's power that "keeps covenant and lovingkindness" (Neh 9:32). "He will remember His covenant forever. He has made known to His people the power of His works" (Ps 111:5-6). He is "mighty in deed" (Jer 32:19). The remnant of Israel that escaped "will truly rely on the Lord" (Isa 10:20) and will return "to the mighty God" (:21). Isaiah said Jesus would "bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him" (Isa 49:5). Micah said "His brethren will return to the sons of Israel" (Mic 5:3). He said "He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord" (:4) and Isaiah cited that it is because "My God is My strength" (Isa 49:5). His name is the "Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:6). Micah said "this One will be our peace" (Mic 5:5). "He will speak peace to the nations" (Zec 9:10). The heavenly hosts' praise was "'on earth peace among men'" (Lk 2:14).
Where does it begin? The Lord told Jeremiah, "'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you'" (Jer 1:5). Isaiah prophesied "the Lord called Me from the womb" (Isa 49:1) and "formed Me from the womb to be His Servant" (:5) and there "He named Me" (:1). Gabriel told Mary "'even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age'" (Lk 1:36). Mary went to visit her and "when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" (:41). Zacharias had been told that "'he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb'" (:15). How can people today say that you don't actually become a real person until you complete the birth process?
At Bethlehem "there were shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night" (Lk 2:8). Then an angel appeared before them (:9). In a dream Jacob saw a ladder "set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven . . . and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it" (Ge 28:12). "The glory of the Lord shone around them" (Lk 2:9). The angel announced "'good news of great joy which well be for all people'" (:10). Zacharias had been told "'many will rejoice at [John's] birth'" (1:14). The message was "'today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'" (2:11). The angel also explained "'this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger'" (:12). To emphasize this news a multitude of angels appeared "praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased'" (:13-14). Afterwards they went "away from them into heaven" (:15). The shepherds then "found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger" (:16). They then "made known the statement which had been told them about this Child . . . [and] all who heard it wondered" (:17-18). They "had heard and seen, just as had been told them" (:20).