Christianity - Celebrations - Christmas
Introduction
Almost two thousand years ago the promised Messiah Jesus was born.
Prelude
The land of Israel was under Roman occupation. In those times there were no courts of human rights. People in occupied countries were usually treated poorly. There was no social security, but you had to pay your taxes or you went to prison. The Jews were heavily taxed by Rome, taxed by the puppet king Herod and they also had to pay temple taxes. The Jewish people were eagerly awaiting the promised Messiah. They were expecting a warrier king.
An angel of the Lord (Gabriel) appeared to the priest Zechariah, telling him that his wife Elizabeth will bear him a son and he is to name him John. (Luke chapter 1 verses 1 - 25)
When Elizabeth was in her sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. The angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit will come apon her and she will bear a son, Jesus. (Luke chapter 1 verses 26 - 38)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him that Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son Jesus who will save his people from their sins. (Matthew Chapter 1 verses 18 - 21).
This fulfills the prophecy written by Isaiah over 400 years earlier
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14)
Birth of Jesus
Everyone had to register for a census in their home town, so Joseph and Mary travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary gave birth to Jesus and placed him in a manger as there was no room in the inn. (Luke chapter 2 verses 1 - 7)
An angel appeared to shepherds telling them the good news -
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke chapter 2 verses 10 - 12)
The shepherds hurried off and found Mary, Joseph and the baby.
Magi came from the east to Jerusalem asking "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (Matthew chaper 2 verses 1 + 2)
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah chapter 5 verse 2)
The magi followed the star and found Mary and her child and they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented their gifts of gold, incense (frankincense) and myrrh. (Matthew chapter 2 verses 7 - 12)
Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated. In the temple courts they were met by Simeon a righteous man. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and said:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke chapter 2 verses 28 - 32)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream warning him to escape to Egypt because Herod wants to kill the child. (Matthew chapter 2 verse 13)
Herod gave orders to kill all boys in the area of Bethlehem who were 2 years old and under, as was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matthew chapter 2 verse 18)
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