Ancient Words For Today - 89
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ was recorded by his followers and preserved for us in three separate accounts included in the Bible books of Matthew, Luke and John.
Matthew tells of the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus which fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy predicting his supernatural birth (including that his name would be called Emmanuel, which means God with us). Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, demonstrating that his birth fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah (Christ) would be one of Abraham’s descendants. He also records the angel of the Lord’s instruction to Joseph to name him Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins, and the visit of the wise men who followed a star in the east and came to worship Jesus. He ends his account with the escape to Egypt to protect Jesus from King Herod’s order that all male children 2 years of age and younger be put to death (since Herod considered Jesus to be a threat to his kingship).
Luke’s account includes the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary that she was going to miraculously conceive and bring forth a child who would be called The Son of God, who would rule over the house of Jacob forever, and that His kingdom would have no end. He also records Jesus’ birth in the town of Bethlehem (as was predicted by a prophet) and the angels’ joyous proclamation to the shepherds informing them about the birth of the Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke presents a genealogy of Jesus that is longer than Matthew’s, tracing his lineage all the way back to Adam and Eve, the first human beings that God created.
John’s account of Jesus’ birth includes the most remarkable genealogy of all, going back to before Adam and Eve, even before the world was created! John boldly declares that Jesus is the WORD, He has always existed, was with God in the beginning and is God Himself, that He created the world, and that He became flesh and dwelt among us!! Below is John’s amazing nativity story, which also explains who Jesus is and the purpose for which Jesus was incarnated as a man and came into the world. I have chosen the New Living Translation because I think it provides a very clear understanding of John’s nativity message:
"In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.
But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God.
So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. John pointed him out to the people. He shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before I did.’ ” We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us—one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart; he has told us about him." John 1:1-18
John also recorded Jesus’ words concerning the perspective of God The Father concerning the birth of His Son: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21
This year over one billion Christians around the world will celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As you celebrate Christmas, remember those things His followers recorded about His birth, His life, His sacrificial death on our behalf, and His resurrection, that are the basis of our salvation and faith. God’s gift to us is forgiveness of our sins and eternal life through his Son Jesus. Our gift to God is what we do with our life for Him. As opportunities arise, be sure to tell others about Jesus and the reasons you are celebrating His birthday.
May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas and every day.