The Birth of Jesus
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. " (Luke 2:8-1)
Each winter season, we're reminded of the birth of Jesus Christ. While its notable that neither Christmas nor Jesus' day of birth are in the Bible, His birth is of great importance.
In Genesis 3:15, we read about a promise from God. Throughout the Old Testament, there are prophecies concerning the coming Christ or Anointed One, written long before Jesus came. For example, in Daniel 7:14, the Bible speaks of a coming Saviour who will reign over an eternal kingdom on earth. While other prophecies such as Isaiah 53:5, speak of a suffering Saviour who would be wounded to save His people from their sins. Like no other person in history, Jesus fufilled many of these prophecies in His first coming and will completely fullfill them in His Second Coming.
So why did Jesus come?
First, let's consider who the Bible says He is.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:1,14)
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:23)
The Bible says Jesus is our Creator come in the flesh.
For this miracle to happen, the mother of Jesus would be a chosen virgin named Mary. She was visited by an angel who brought news that she would bear the Son of God.
"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (Luke 1:26-31)
Jesus was conceived as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and He would not inherit the sinful nature passed down from Adam. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born holy and sinless.
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:34-35)
Mary also had a husband named Joseph. Near the time of Jesus' birth, they were travelling through the town of Bethlehem. After discovering there was no room for them at the inn, they found a place at a local stable. The Bible describes Jesus being born into the world in the most humble of places.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)
After birth, He was placed in a manger, which is where lambs go to feed and a foreshadowing of a great symbolism revealed later in Jesus' life.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
This baby boy would grow to be the bread of life and the Saviour of the world.
So each year as we approach the Christmas season, let's remember who Jesus is and why He came for us.
He truly is the greatest Gift of all.
He Still Came (Hymn)
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"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. " (Luke 2:8-1)
Each winter season, we're reminded of the birth of Jesus Christ. While its notable that neither Christmas nor Jesus' day of birth are in the Bible, His birth is of great importance.
In Genesis 3:15, we read about a promise from God. Throughout the Old Testament, there are prophecies concerning the coming Christ or Anointed One, written long before Jesus came. For example, in Daniel 7:14, the Bible speaks of a coming Saviour who will reign over an eternal kingdom on earth. While other prophecies such as Isaiah 53:5, speak of a suffering Saviour who would be wounded to save His people from their sins. Like no other person in history, Jesus fufilled many of these prophecies in His first coming and will completely fullfill them in His Second Coming.
So why did Jesus come?
First, let's consider who the Bible says He is.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (John 1:1,14)
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:23)
The Bible says Jesus is our Creator come in the flesh.
For this miracle to happen, the mother of Jesus would be a chosen virgin named Mary. She was visited by an angel who brought news that she would bear the Son of God.
"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (Luke 1:26-31)
Jesus was conceived as the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and He would not inherit the sinful nature passed down from Adam. The Bible tells us that Jesus was born holy and sinless.
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:34-35)
Mary also had a husband named Joseph. Near the time of Jesus' birth, they were travelling through the town of Bethlehem. After discovering there was no room for them at the inn, they found a place at a local stable. The Bible describes Jesus being born into the world in the most humble of places.
"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)
After birth, He was placed in a manger, which is where lambs go to feed and a foreshadowing of a great symbolism revealed later in Jesus' life.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
This baby boy would grow to be the bread of life and the Saviour of the world.
So each year as we approach the Christmas season, let's remember who Jesus is and why He came for us.
He truly is the greatest Gift of all.
He Still Came (Hymn)
>>BACK TO BIBLE TOPICS
