The answer is: Isaiah

Matthew 1:23 / Isaiah 7:14 - part of a difficult passage of prophecy written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

Isn't it fascinating how Isaiah, living in a much different time and context, nonetheless made a proclamation that has echoed through centuries during Christmas celebrations? Isaiah 7:14 presents an intriguing interaction between old and new. This prophecy, where a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel (meaning "God with us"), has developed into such a significant element of the Christmas story, shaping our understanding of hope, fulfillment, and divine promise.

Fun fact: The Hebrew term for "virgin" in this verse, "alma," is a topic of scholarly debate. While many translations use "virgin," it can also mean "young woman." This playful ambiguity adds an extra layer to how we interpret the prophecy in its context and also stretches into the New Testament as Matthew adopts it, creating a bridge of understanding between Jewish tradition and early Christianity.

More intriguingly, this isn't the only Old Testament echo in the Christmas narrative; Luke alludes to the same themes of miraculous births with the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, reminiscent of Sarah and Abraham. These cycles of hope through the unexpected divine interventions adorn the biblical landscape. From barren women bearing children in ancient Israel to a virgin giving birth, these stories construct a beautiful tapestry of faith, resilience, and hopeful possibilities, inviting everyone to reflect on what miraculous happenings await in our lives too!