I want to let today’s generation know what the true meaning of Christmas truly is. All we hear anymore is Santa Clause, Rudolf, and the Snowman. Well that is not where Christmas came from. I want you to enjoy Christmas for what it is truly meant for, plus Santa.
The Birth of Jesus Christ of Mary
Since the beginning of time God had intended to send His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible about His coming. I am going to share a few with you first before I share the story of His birth.
Prophecy of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament
There are many in the Old Testament but I will share three of what I see is important for Christmas.
The Birth of the Messiah
Micah 5:2 – “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.”
Well the main thing is Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Also prophesying that He would be of David descent.
The Messiah Will Be Born Of A Virgin
We know that it is impossible for a virgin birth to happen, unless it is a miracle. If this happened today I do not think I would believe it. It happened over 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. It was prophesied way before it ever could be planned to take place.
Isaiah 7:14 – “All right then, the Lord Himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel – ‘God is with us.’”
Isaiah 9:6-7 – “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on His shoulders. These will be His royal titlesThat: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!”
He was crucified and rose again the third day for our sins. Today He reigns in Heaven beside His Father our Lord and will return in the end at the second coming, but that is a story for another day.
The Messiah To Die By Crucifixion, With Pierced Hands And Feet
Jesus died from crucifixion. Believe it or not many people stayed alive for days in severe pain hanging on the cross back in that time. That is why it is a miracle in it’s self that He died on the cross.
Psalm 22:14-16 – “My life is poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within Me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth. You have laid Me in the dust and left Me for dead. My enemies surround Me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on Me. They have pierced My hands and feet.”
Zechariah 12:10a – “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem. They will look on Me whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son.”
Still today God gives us His grace.
The Birth Of Jesus Christ in the New Testament
Jesus came to us as a baby. He came around the change from B.C. to A.D. It has been debated for a long time when He was born exactly, but one thing we do know He was not born on Christmas Day. He was born in either the Spring or Fall.
It was during the time of Caesar Augustus. Caesar started taxes and everyone had to go to a town to pay. This is how God got Mary to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. He was also born in a manger because there was no room for them. He was born as the poorest of the poor and is the King of Kings. Here is the story of the Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2:1-20
Christ Born of Mary
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,a]”>[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,b]”>[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”c]”>[c]
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widelyd]”>[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Conclusion
You may find it hard to believe in an Omnipotent God and a Savior, but I have witnessed things in my life and my friends’ lives that will say otherwise. I have had friends that should have been dead but have survived, I know people that had nothing but survived because of prayer to God, and myself I may have taken my own life a few years ago if God did not stand by me. Life is hard I will agree with that, but God, Jesus Christ our Savior is there with us everyday. Santa Clause is not why we celebrate Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas is Jesus our Savior. Believe in him and you will not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
References
CBN.com – The Christian Broadcasting Network. (2017). Biblical Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus. [online] Available at: http://www1.cbn.com/biblestudy/biblical-prophecies-fulfilled-by-jesus [Accessed 10 Dec. 2017].
Biblegateway.com. (2017). BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.. [online] Available at: https://www.biblegateway.com/ [Accessed 10 Dec. 2017].
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