Pomegranate Salad Recipe
December 17, 2024
My Story: How Jesus Transformed My Life
January 10, 2025The birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most significant events recorded in the Bible. Christmas can easily become surrounded by traditions, decorations, presents, and busy schedules, but at the centre of it all is something far greater: God sent His Son into the world to become our Saviour.
The story of Jesus’ birth was not an unexpected event that suddenly appeared in history. God had promised the coming Messiah long before Jesus was born, and the New Testament shows how those promises were fulfilled through Christ.
Quick Answer
The Bible teaches that Jesus was born according to God’s promised plan of salvation. His birth fulfilled prophecy, revealed God’s love, and announced the arrival of the Saviour.
Some of the most important Bible passages about the birth of Jesus include Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:18–23, Luke 1:26–38, Luke 2:1–20, Matthew 2:1–12, John 1:1–14, and Galatians 4:4–5.
The birth of Jesus points us beyond the manger. It points us to who Jesus is, why He came, and what His coming means for our salvation.
The Birth of Jesus Was Promised
Long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God had revealed that a Saviour would come. The Old Testament contains promises and prophecies that Christians understand to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
This is important because the birth of Jesus was not simply the story of an extraordinary child being born. It was part of God’s unfolding plan of redemption.
Isaiah 7:14 — The Virgin Shall Conceive
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah spoke these words centuries before the birth of Jesus. Matthew later connects this prophecy with the birth of Christ, showing that Jesus’ birth was part of the promises God had already given.
The name Immanuel means “God with us,” pointing to the extraordinary truth at the heart of the incarnation: God the Son came into the world and took on human nature.
Isaiah 9:6 — A Child Is Born
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
This is one of the most well-known Old Testament passages associated with the coming Messiah.
Jesus was truly born as a child, yet His identity is far greater than that of an ordinary human child. The New Testament reveals Him as the Son of God who came into the world for our salvation.
The Angel Announced Jesus’ Birth
The Gospel of Luke records the announcement of Jesus’ birth to Mary. The circumstances surrounding His conception and birth were extraordinary, but the message was clear: this child would be the Son of God and the promised King.
Luke 1:30–35 — Jesus Is the Son of God
“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.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
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.”
The angel did not merely announce the birth of a baby. He revealed who Jesus would be.
Jesus would be called the Son of the Highest. He would reign as the promised King, and His kingdom would have no end.
Jesus Was Born to Be the Saviour
One of the clearest statements about the purpose of Jesus’ birth is found in Matthew.
Matthew 1:20–21 — He Shall Save His People
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
The name Jesus is connected with His mission to save.
This is why the birth of Christ cannot be separated from the gospel. Jesus did not come merely to teach people how to live better lives. He came as the Saviour.
The manger points forward to the cross and resurrection. The baby born in Bethlehem would grow into the man who willingly gave His life for sinners and rose again.
Jesus’ Birth Fulfilled God’s Promise
Matthew explains that Jesus’ birth fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah.
Matthew 1:22–23 — Immanuel, God With Us
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
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.”
The birth of Jesus demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God works according to His purposes even when people cannot see the whole picture. The birth of Christ reminds us that God’s plan does not depend on human expectations or circumstances appearing perfect.
Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem
The prophet Micah had identified Bethlehem as the place from which the ruler of Israel would come.
Micah 5:2 — Bethlehem and the Coming Ruler
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Matthew later records that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem was not the centre of political power or worldly greatness, yet it became the birthplace of the Messiah.
The circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth remind us that God does not measure importance in the same way the world does. Jesus entered the world in humble circumstances, yet He is the King whose kingdom will never end.
The Birth of Jesus Was Good News
Luke records one of the most beautiful announcements in the entire Christmas story. An angel appeared to shepherds who were watching their flocks at night.
Luke 2:8–12 — Unto You Is Born a Saviour
“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.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Notice the words used by the angel: Saviour, Christ, and Lord.
The announcement was not simply that a child had been born. The Saviour had come.
And the good news was described as being for all people. The gospel would not be limited to one family, social class, or nation.
The Angels Praised God
After announcing the birth, the angels praised God.
Luke 2:13–14 — Glory to God in the Highest
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The birth of Jesus brought glory to God because it was connected to His plan of salvation.
The peace announced here should not be reduced to a promise that the world would immediately become free from conflict. Jesus came to bring reconciliation between God and sinners, and through Him believers can have peace with God.
The Christian hope is ultimately found in Christ, not in perfect circumstances.
The Shepherds Responded With Worship
The shepherds did not simply hear the announcement and continue with their night.
Luke 2:15–20 — The Shepherds Went to See Jesus
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
The shepherds heard the good news, went to see Jesus, told others what they had been told, and returned glorifying God.
Their response gives us a beautiful picture of what it means to hear the gospel and respond with worship and praise.
Wise Men Worshipped Jesus
Matthew records that wise men from the east came looking for the newborn King.
Matthew 2:10–11 — They Worshipped Him
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”
The wise men came to worship Jesus.
Their story also reminds us that Jesus was not merely significant because of the circumstances of His birth. He was worthy of honour because of who He is.
Jesus’ Birth Reveals God’s Love
The birth of Jesus is inseparable from God’s love for humanity.
John 3:16 — God Gave His Son
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 is not specifically a Christmas verse, but it helps us understand why Jesus came.
The sending of the Son was an expression of God’s love, and that love ultimately led Jesus to give His life for the salvation of sinners.
Christmas is therefore not simply about celebrating a birth. It is about remembering the beginning of the earthly life of the One who came to save us.
God Sent His Son at the Right Time
Paul describes Jesus’ coming as taking place according to God’s appointed timing.
Galatians 4:4–5 — God Sent Forth His Son
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Jesus came to redeem.
That word matters because it shows that His birth was connected to a greater purpose. The incarnation was not the end of the story. Christ came into the world to accomplish salvation.
The Word Became Flesh
The Gospel of John gives us another perspective on Jesus’ coming. Instead of beginning with Bethlehem, John begins with the eternal Word.
John 1:1–5 — The Word Was God
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John shows us that Jesus did not begin to exist when He was born in Bethlehem.
The One who entered the world as a baby is the eternal Word who was with God and was God.
John 1:14 — The Word Was Made Flesh
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
This is the heart of the incarnation.
Jesus truly became human and lived among us. He entered into the human experience without ceasing to be who He eternally is.
That is why the birth of Jesus is so profound. The Creator entered His creation. The Son of God came into the world to dwell among humanity and ultimately give Himself for our salvation.
What Can We Learn From the Birth of Jesus?
The Christmas story gives us much more than a beautiful scene to remember each year. It teaches us important truths about God, salvation, faith, humility, and worship.
God Keeps His Promises
Jesus’ birth reminds us that God’s promises can unfold over a much longer period than we expect. The Messiah had been promised long before His birth, yet God fulfilled His word in His appointed time.
That does not mean every personal desire we have is guaranteed to happen exactly as we want. It does mean we have good reason to take God’s revealed promises seriously and trust His faithfulness.
Jesus Came for Sinners
Jesus did not come because humanity had already become perfect.
He came because we needed a Saviour.
The gospel is therefore good news for people who know they have sinned, people who feel ashamed, people who have failed, and people who understand that they cannot save themselves.
Humility Matters
Jesus entered the world in circumstances that were far removed from earthly ideas of status and greatness.
His birth reminds us that God’s work is not dependent upon worldly prestige.
Christians are called to follow Jesus in humility rather than measuring their worth by possessions, position, popularity, or recognition.
Worship Should Be at the Centre
The shepherds glorified God. The angels praised God. The wise men worshipped Jesus.
Their responses remind us that the appropriate response to the gospel is not merely admiration. It is worship, gratitude, faith, and a willingness to follow Christ.
The Birth of Jesus Points to the Gospel
The manger is only the beginning of the story.
Jesus would grow, teach, heal, call people to repentance, reveal the kingdom of God, willingly suffer and die on the cross, and rise again.
His birth matters because of the person who was born and the mission He came to accomplish.
Bible Verses About the Birth of Jesus
If you are looking for Scripture to read during Christmas or while studying the birth of Jesus, these passages are especially helpful.
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Matthew 1:21
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Luke 1:37
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Matthew 1:22–23
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
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.”
Luke 2:10–11
“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.”
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Galatians 4:4–5
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Matthew 2:11
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”
How Should We Respond to the Birth of Jesus?
The birth of Jesus invites us to do more than simply remember a historical event once a year.
We can read the Scriptures and remember what God has done and we can thank Him for sending Christ. We can worship Jesus for who He is and we can examine our own hearts and ask whether we are trusting Him with our lives.
Most importantly, we can remember why Jesus came.
He came because sinners needed a Saviour.
Jesus came to redeem.
He came to reveal God’s grace and truth.
Jesus came so that those who believe in Him might have eternal life.
Christmas traditions can be meaningful, but they should never become more important than Christ Himself. The greatest gift associated with Jesus’ birth is not something wrapped beneath a tree. It is the gift of God’s Son.
Final Thoughts
The birth of Jesus is the beginning of one of the greatest stories ever told, but for Christians it is more than a story.
It is the story of the Saviour entering the world and God’s promise fulfilled.
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