Let us take note of a few rudimentary facts about the birth of Christ. Joseph was the stepfather, not the actual father because the Holy Spirit moved upon Mary in a miraculous way. When Mary greeted her cousin Elizabeth, we have a song recorded in which she’s called Jesus her Savior. This means that Mary was neither sinless nor was her birth immaculate.
Because the government ordered everyone to return to their hometown to be registered for taxation purposes, Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The birth could’ve taken place in a cave or animal lean to. The manger was a feed trough for the newborn Christ to be laid. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes which was several inches wide and used to wrap the child tightly so that he appeared almost mummified except for his face being seen.
When the shepherds were told to find Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, that was not unique. It was special that they found him when they went looking for him. It is likely that Jesus was born in early spring because that’s when the shepherds were watching the sheep in the fields. We observe Christmas as a result of a Roman pagan holiday called Saturnalia during which time slaves had the day off and gifts were given. Ever since it became a tradition to assume Jesus was born in December even though that was not true.
Bear in mind that Jesus as God always existed and will always exist. To take on human flesh he divested himself of glory and the brilliance of heaven. The Bible describes him as the beginning and creation, the means of redemption, the only means of salvation, and that he is provided an endless service to all those who would believe. In addition, Galatians 4: 4,5 makes it clear that Jesus was born at God’s planning describing it as, “the fullness of time.” Jesus was born to fulfill our need and is the ample provision for salvation.
To describe Jesus, we must observe how self-sacrificing was his love and how unfailing was his obedience. He is mighty in power, infinite compassion, and possesses great glory even now in heaven. The first chapter of the Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Logos or the word of God which means the very spoken desire of God took on human flesh. Jesus has always been right. His power is such that it converts, it enlightens all who will believe. Jesus is so powerful. He is the maker of heaven, was sent by the father as the maker of earth and the Savior for the world.
We must be careful not to legalize the work of Christ is according to the law. He came to fulfill the law as a son of all ages and for all nations. The Bible describes Christ as the heir of God meaning that through him, we also are errors and joint heirs in Christ. He has been exalted to the right hand of the father and was told that all things was his.
Luke 2 introduces us to Jesus when he took on human flesh. He became a throneless king. He became a servant so that he might serve the needs of humanity. He was a fulfillment of prophecy in every sense of the word because it is said of Jesus that that day he became our Savior and Redeemer then and forever. We must not confuse church ritual, clergy, denominational functions, confessional, or whatever practices a particular Christian group calls themselves. Jesus did not come to start a new religion. Nor did he come to reform an old religion. Jesus was born to save us from our sins in his vicarious death on the cross. His mission was to establish a relationship with the heavenly father. He plainly says that he is the only way to salvation, not through other men who hold stature in the community or influence over the church. At this Christmas time, we must set the record straight that Jesus is the only way to heaven, not by good works but by faith in him.
Christian Writer 