THE CHRISTMAS STORY

THE CHRISTMAS STORY

The birth of Jesus is the central theme in the Christmas story. It is a great and important event in the Bible because it was foretold by the prophets of the old testament long before it occurred.

Isaiah 7: 14 (NIV)

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and call Him Immanuel.

Micah 5 : 2-3 (CEB)

As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces, one who is to be ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you. His origin is from remote times, from ancient days. Therefore, He will give them up until the time when she who is in labour gives birth. The rest of His kin will return to the people of Israel.

Isaiah 9 :6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.

The Birth of Jesus

The birth of Jesus itself was a miracle because his conception was announced by an angel of God and it would occur in an amazing way.

Luke 1 : 26 -35 (ICB)

…God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin who lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you.” But Mary was very confused by what the angel said. Mary wondered. “What does this mean?” The angel said to her, do not be afraid Mary, because God is pleased with you. “Listen! You will be pregnant. You will give birth to a son and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and people will call Him the son of the most high. The Lord will give Him the throne of David, His ancestor.

He will rule over the people of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end.” Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I am a virgin” The angel said to Mary, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will cover you. The baby will be holy. He will be called the son of God.”

This is an unusual angelic visitation. First of all, the chief angel, Gabriel was sent. He was sent to a virgin who was engaged to be married to a man from the family of David, Joseph. God chose His family as was foretold by the prophets but He was conceived by the Holy Spirit coming over Mary. This would scare any young maiden, therefore, the angel told her not to be afraid.

One of the lessons to be learned from this Passage is that God has the master plan for everything that happens in this world. Furthermore, he uses people to accomplish His will, people like Mary, a virgin (clean and set apart). In today’s world being a virgin, boy or girl is frowned upon but this passage teaches us that God is pleased with such people.

We can also learn from this passage that when God calls you, he plans everything, so there is no need to fear, but to trust Him completely. God confirms that he plans everything by sending an angel to Joseph as well, to direct him not to leave his wife because He was using her. (Matthew 1 : 18-23)

To fulfill prophecy, when it was time for Him to be born, the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world so Joseph and his wife Mary had to travel to his hometown Bethlehem and Jesus was born there just as the prophecy said.(Luke 2 : 1-20)

Is it not surprising that the greatest of the great was born in a stable? This teaches us that we should not despise humble beginnings. To confirm His greatness shepherds in the field watching their flock were told by angel that Jesus has been born and they went to see Him.

Wise men from the East were also led by a star to the birth place of Jesus to worship Him. Of course there was the villain, King Herod as well who wanted to kill baby Jesus because he knew he would be much greater than he was (Matthew 2 : 1-12).

The Significance of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The birth of Jesus marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation for man.
The birth of Christ is one of the greatest miracles God has performed. The son of God was made man so He could experience all the temptations facing man and create a way of escape for us.
The birth of Christ is the first coming of Jesus to the world and it laid the foundation for the preparation of man for His second coming.
The birth of Jesus brought joy to the world. This is shown in the song below-Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive the king, let every heart prepare Him rom, and heaven and nature sing.
The birth of Jesus proves or confirms the faithfulness of God. He promised a Messiah in prophecies many years before it happen and it was fulfilled just as the prophecies said.
The birth of Jesus also proves that man can trust God and He will not let them down. Joseph and Mary had their fears but they trusted God and He did not disappoint them.
The birth of Jesus confirms the love of God. He did not want us to perish, therefore He made a way through the birth of Christ. (John 3 :16).
The birth of Jesus proves that God is almighty and He can do all things. He was able to make God (Jesus) man with flesh and blood like any of us.
The birth of Jesus is confirmation of the second coming of God. It took years for Jesus to be born after the prophecies were made. This implies that though the second coming of Jesus has taken a long time, it will still come to pass because the bible says so.
The birth of Jesus gave hope to the world. Though we now live in a world full of evil, as the Bible says, Jesus as gone to prepare a place for in heaven where there will be no tears or pain but joy forever. He will come back for us so we can enjoy with Him in heaven. (John : 14-1-4).

By Evangeline Esaaba Folson

Conclusion

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us not waste all our time enjoying the food, new clothes and gifts. Let us also spend time meditating on the significance of the birth of Christ which is the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New year, filled with the blessings and breakthroughs we desire from God.

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