“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16, ESV

JESUS BORN A MAN & CHRIST

The early church leaders argued ferociously over whether Jesus was born man or more so, i.e. God’s son and the would-be Christ spoken of in the Hebrew bible. Many references throughout the New Testament flip-and-flop between describing Jesus as born a man to experience sin as a man, while also saying He existed before it all, in the beginning of Gods plan, deliberately sent to earth and taking up human form as a guise of His intentions.

What they all agree is that he was in fact born in the traditional sense from the womb of a woman, by His mother Mary. Her story and that of His earthly father Joseph are as much about the birth of Jesus as Jesus himself. The story began months earlier than December 25th, the celebrated birthday of Jesus. Roughly January of that same year is the starting point of the journey leading up to the birth of the man who would forever change the course of life on earth.

“26 In the sixth month the angel Gabrielle was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin bethrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgins name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” – Luke, 1:26-28, ESV

THE STORY OF JESUS’ BIRTH

If you research carefully enough, you can trace preceding details that go back to actions and decisions that tie into a main event, like the birth of Jesus. Before Jesus was born things were being properly prepared for His arrival. God had decided that humanity needed direct intervention and He chose Jesus as His facilitator. Mary was made pregnant by the Spirit that is Holy in order to give birth to a savior of man. She was guided as to His importance and her role in it. Joseph was also instructed. Both were visited by the messenger Archangel Gabrielle.

“6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” – Luke, 2:6-7, ESV

Most Christians are familiar with Jesus being born in a manger surrounded by barn animals because the inn where Joseph first took his pregnant wife had no vacancy. God made that so. Jesus had to be born in that place at that time under those conditions. Mary and Joseph must surely have been nervous, as all parents are, but driven by faith they remained strong. Thus, Jesus was born. And the world took notice. In the immediate days after Jesus was born many already felt a difference in the world. Something had changed and it was glorious and hopeful.

Far in the desert, hundreds of miles away from Bethlehem, three wise men witnessed a brilliant star that implored them to travel in that direction. They understood it to have great significance. Along the way they passed through the ruling house of Herod, and out of respect, they inquired about the special child rumored to be born.

Herod was outraged when he learned of a possible “king” being born with potential to threaten his reign. He ordered his scribes to find all passages foretelling the event and for any clues that could be helpful in thwarting this. The wisemen quickly left Herod and agreed not to disclose the location of the baby knowing and fearing Herod’s wrath would lead to the baby’s death.

When they finally found the baby by faithfully following Gods beacon Star, they presented Him with gifts of enormous value, gold and spices, worth more money than Joseph could have earned in a lifetime many times over. Jesus was given provisions right from the start for his family to properly take care of themselves and Him as He developed into a man. God made this so.

THE WOULD-BE CHRIST, “THE ANOINTED ONE”

Except for a few brief passages of Jesus as a child, all we know is Jesus is born, and that not until He is a man, will the world witness His significance when He formally begins His ministry.

Although we use it today by practice, the word Christ is more a title than a name. Just as we say “Lord” or “King” in reference to Jesus, so to Christ, is a title that means He is “The Anointed One” or chosen one by God. By that definition God had already chosen Jesus before He was born, which means Jesus was born the Christ. But Jesus still had to “become the Christ” and earn its title before God by successfully accomplishing the salvation of man.

He was chosen, but could He fulfill what must be done in order to manifest Gods plan? Jesus had the choice to fulfill it or reject it. Only by His full will could it be done. Jesus the man unfailingly completed His mission according to Gods plan and became Jesus the Christ.

CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN JESUS’ BIRTHDAY

Humans have accomplished great things in the humanities, sciences and arts. We also unleashed many errors. Our varying cultures are well and good, like the practice of gift giving on Christmas, but more important is our spiritual right to Gods great love and the receiving and union with the Spirit that is Holy, all of which has been made possible by the birth Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ.

For thousands of years since that day, the world has been shaped and reshaped in order that we can move ever closer to the world with God that Jesus promised us through The Way.

Jesus was born The Christ, but He still had to choose what direction that anointing could take. He chose Gods path. His love for humanity was enough for Him to sacrifice Himself for us. We forever owe Him our love and gratitude.

My urgent message is not to allow yourself to forget why Christmas is relevant now and forever through the ages, until the end of days. We can receive as much as we choose of the glorious love that God sends across His universe. We can have peace on earth. We can end hunger. We can end war. We can choose to love one another. We can use the resources of our planet and take care of her at the same time. Like Jesus of Nazareth, we can choose God and forever change our world.

“25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were everyone of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that woud be written.” – John 21:25, ESV

I wish God’s blessing on every man, woman and child on our beautiful home, earth. I wish Gods blessings on those who have left and reside in Gods heavenly space. My Lord, Jesus the Christ, I give eternal thanks to you.

Merry Christmas to all…