biblestudydecember

Why do Christians celebrate Christmas? Believers of Jesus celebrate Christmas
as the birthday of Jesus.

Have you ever thought to yourself that there must be more to Christmas than presents and Santa Claus? Have you ever wondered about why we celebrate Christmas and what is the TRUE meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated in many ways by many different people with many different beliefs. Christians celebrate Christmas because we are filled with JOY at the gift we received 2,000 years ago when God sent His only Son to us. So many people have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas and they believe that Christmas is all about Santa or all about TOYS! Christmas means so much more than the gifts beneath your tree. God loved us so much, that even though we are all sinners, He designed a way to bridge the gap between us and Him. He sent us a Saviour in a little baby in a manger. It is not a fairy tale. The birth of Jesus is a true event in history and because of the Father's love for us, we now have hope of life everlasting.

JESUS loves you! Read below and see how powerful God is and how he arranged human events to fit into his PERFECT plan for our redemption!

In the Old Testament we learn that God has promised his people that the promised Saviour would come from the line of King David. That means that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. We also learned in the New Testament exactly where the Saviour would be born. In Micah 5:2 we read:

What the above verse is telling the Israelites is that the promised Saviour
will be born in the city of Bethlehem. This prophecy was written LONG BEFORE Jesus was born.

At the end of the Old Testament, the Jewish people were still looking for the promised saviour. In the book of Malachi, we are told that a person will come who will prepare the way for the promised Messiah.

A lot of time passes after Malachi tells the Jewish people that their saviour is coming. 400 years go by before John the Baptist begins to preach in the wilderness and to prepare the way for the promised Saviour.

John the baptist was the person who was to prepare the way for the promised Saviour. John preached in the wilderness and told the Jewish people to repent and be sorry for their sins.

With the coming of the messenger in the wilderness, also came the greatest event in human history. God had planned everything so perfectly. Jesus came down from his home in heaven to be born in a manger in the city of Bethlehem. God had promised His people that He would send a Saviour and He fulfills all his promises.

The first 4 books of the New Testament are called the "Gospels." The word gospel means "Good News" which is exactly what Jesus represents to us as believers.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us all about the life of Jesus and his miracles, parables, and his words to His people.

John chose to focus his writings mostly on conversations and prayers of Jesus. He also wrote about the ministry of Jesus too but it was not his main focus.

Matthew shows us Jesus the King.
Mark shows us Jesus the Servant.
Luke shows us that Jesus is the Son of Man.
John shows us that Jesus is the Son of God.

It is very important to remember that in the Old Testament is the promise of a Coming Saviour. The New Testament shows us how the promise came true.

Read the Gospel of Matthew or listen to it on AudioBible. ***Hint*** you can open up a new window by right clicking on your mouse and choosing "open link in new window." Then you will be able to switch back and forth as needed.

In Matthew, the first chapter tells us about the family of Jesus. We learn that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, Jacob, David and Solomon. REMEMBER that God promised His people in the Old Testament that the Promised Messiah would come from the line of David.

In Matthew we also learn of a young man and woman whose names are Joseph and Mary. An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph and tells him this:

	1:18	Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
	1:19	Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
	1:20	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.
	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.
	1:22	Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
	1:23	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.
	1:24	Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
	1:25	And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The fact that Jesus was born to a virgin was a fulfilled prophecy because years before Jesus was born, a prophet named Isaiah predicted the event:

The second chapter of Matthew tells us about the wisemen who came to visit the new King of the Jewish people.

"and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was .When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Matthew 2:9-10

It's interesting to note that the wisemen did not visit Jesus when we was an infant in a manger but instead saw him later when we was a small child.

How do we know this to be true? When the wisemen were on their way to find the new king, they spoke with King Herod who asked them a question. He wanted to know "what time" they first saw the star in the East. After King Herod sent the wisemen on their way, they were warned in a dream not to return to King Herod. King Herod then ordered all children under the age of 2 to be killed in Bethlehem. From the age of the children that Herod ordered to be killed, we can assume that Herod thought the new King to be around the age of 2.

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13

This event of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus leaving for Egypt was also a fulfillment of prophecy:

"And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." Matthew 2:15

The slaughter of the innocent children ordered by King Herod was also a fulfilled prophecy.

"In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Matthew 2:18

Later, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Egypt and told him that it was safe to return. Joseph took Mary and Jesus and they lived in the city of Nazareth which was another fulfilled prophecy.

"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23

Did you know that John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus? It's true. Luke writes about the unique birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias and Elisabeth had no children and they were very old in years. One day an angel appeared to Zacharias:

	1:13	But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
	1:14	And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
	1:15	For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
	1:16	And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
	1:17	And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
	1:18	And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
	1:19	And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
	1:20	And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Not long after the angel had spoken to Zacharias, an angel appeared to a young virgin named Mary.

	1:26	And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
	1:27	To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary.
	1:28	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.
	1:29	And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
	1:30	And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
	1:31	And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
	1:32	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:
	1:33	And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
	1:34	Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
	1:35	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.

Here we learn that Elisabeth and Mary are cousins. Watch what happens when
Mary goes to visit Elisabeth.

	1:36	And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
	1:37	For with God nothing shall be impossible.
	1:38	And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
	1:39	And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
	1:40	And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
	1:41	And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
	1:42	And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.

The second chapter of Luke contains the account of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The reason that Jospeh and Mary "happened" to be in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus was to fulfill the prophecy that was written long before. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem because Caesar Augustus had required everyone to be taxed and each person was to return to their own city. Joseph was from the family of David so he returned to Bethlehem which is called the City of David. God was in complete control of the events unfolding on earth when Mary and Jospeh traveled to Bethlehem. God designed events to take place in a way that prophecy would be fulfilled and we could all identify the promised Saviour. While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus.

	2:7	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.
	2:8	And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
	2:9	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.
	2:10	And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
	2:11	For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
	2:12	And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
	2:13	And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
	2:14	Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The amazing events that took place nearly 2,000 years ago are the greatest events in human history. God planned everything so perfectly. He sent us prophets who made predictions so that we would know the TRUE MESSIAH when He came to earth. The prophecy about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem shows us that Jesus is the true Messiah. No one can arrange their own birthplace! The other prophecies concerning his birth and life give us all the evidence and proof we need that Jesus is the promise fulfilled from the Old Testament.

Christmas is a birthday party for Jesus and we should keep Him as the focus of our celebrations. Try not to get all caught up in the presents and gifts that you will receive this year. Spend some time alone with God and thank Him for the greatest GIFT ever offered which is Salvation in Jesus Christ.

If you have been participating in our "All About Jesus" Bible studies, then you may have already heard about how Jesus came to Earth as a baby to bridge the gap between man and God. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life and died on the cross for the sins of me and you. What a friend we have in Jesus and what a gift He has given us. If you have not already accepted Jesus into your heart and made Him the Lord of your life, please do so today. Visit our page on Salvation and learn how to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Jesus will be your very best friend and He will NEVER leave you and He will always be thinking of you and loving you. Someday if you trust your life to Jesus, you will live in heaven with Him and everyone else who surrenders their lives to Him. If you would like to pray with our family or would just like someone to talk to about your "salvation" feel free to write to us and let us know. We love you and care very deeply about what happens to you. If you decide to trust your life to Jesus and accept Him as your Saviour, please send us an email and share this news with us. We pray that this Christmas will be one full of Joy for you and your family.