Christmas is a time of hope. Some send hope in an envelope, and Children send letters to Santa; for some, it is an extravaganza. Parents rush around, sometimes feeling like clowns. People are trying to finish everything, thinking it will make Christmas fun. Christmas is more than shopping at stores. It gives us hope, knowing that God so loved us all and sent the angels to call and announce that He sent His Son to save us all. I wish I had written these words, but a poet named Catherine Pulsifer actually authored this poem.
A little over 2000 years ago, an Angel named Gabriel visited a young virgin named Mary in the Town of Nazareth. In the first Chapter of Luke, “And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.” Mary wanted to argue that there was no way that she was having a baby, having never been with a man. Gabriel assured her not to worry that God had taken care of everything. Joseph had been faithful to Mary, so the angel came and conversed with Joseph, explaining that Joseph and Mary would not be exposed to any public disgrace and that he should put any thoughts of divorce out of his mind. Joseph understood that Mary had conceived from the Holy Spirit and that Joseph should name the baby Jesus.
In those days, the government required everyone to show up in Bethlehem to be counted in the census and to pay taxes. Travel was not easy, especially when pregnant and riding on a donkey. When they arrived, Joseph started looking for a place to stay, and all the rooms were full. Luckily, the innkeeper saw Mary was about to give birth and allowed them to settle in the stable with the animals. In the second chapter of Luke, we are told, “While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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.”
While all this was happening many miles away, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds. This angel told the shepherds the good news of the birth of the Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ. The shepherds packed up and started to go and find baby Jesus. Suddenly, we are told that with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly hosts praise God and say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among those with whom He is pleased!” In another part of the world, a group of wise men known as Magi had heard a prophecy that a new king would be born and that a star would appear. At this particular time, the Three Magi saw a brilliant star in the sky and immediately followed the star in search of the new king. Matthew describes this event, saying that the Magi saw the star rise, and they began to follow it until the star stopped directly over where Jesus was born. “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.” Then, they opened their treasures and presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh gifts. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” Remember, the evil King Herod was convinced that newborn boys might be the ones who were going to replace him as King. Herod planned to kill all newborn baby boys.
Why is it essential for us to still be talking about the birth of this one child? Thousands of babies have been born every year since then, and thousands are born every year. The birth of Jesus has more importance assigned to it than any other event in the history of the world. We need help to address all the information necessary to understand fully. The supernatural God-inspired birth of Jesus shows that we humans cannot be redeemed without God’s help. Jesus teaches that our very salvation was created and given to us by Jesus. His birth represents the heavenly answer for people’s salvation.
“The spiritual consequence of Jesus’ birth is indeed reflective and central to Christian theology. Christians believe that the birth of Jesus Christ represents a divine intervention in human history, fulfilling prophecies and ushering in a new era of hope and redemption. The birth of Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, promising a Messiah who would come to save humanity from sin and establish a new covenant between God and people. In Christian belief, Jesus is considered the Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, and his birth represents God’s incarnate presence among humans. The spiritual impact of Jesus’ birth extends to the concept of salvation. Christians believe that through Jesus, God provided a way for humanity to be reconciled with Him, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Nativity story symbolizes God’s love and grace manifested in the form of a humble baby born in Bethlehem. The Christmas season, which commemorates the birth of Jesus, is a time of celebration, reflection, and gratitude for Christians worldwide. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God’s love and the hope brought by the arrival of the Savior. The spiritual impact is not only historical but continues to shape the faith and lives of believers, emphasizing the importance of love, compassion, and the pursuit of a deeper relationship with God.” (Staff, n.d.)
Christmas acts to bring people together all over the world. Every race, religion, gender, and background shares love, compassion, and fellowship during the Christmas holidays. Folks who do not believe in Jesus or, for that matter, do not believe in God always become a little kinder and softer around Christmas. Christmas allows cross-cultural celebrations and collaborations. People try to share their values and become more tolerant of each other. Many cultural and festivals are open to people outside the group to encourage diversity. Watching the grumpy and rude, suddenly being inspired to act more generously and show kindness to others is always enjoyable. This is also the time of year when many broken families and ruined relationships try to foster a more loving and understanding of each other. Christmas is truly a time to forgive and forget past events. The list of unique behaviors during Christmas is never-ending. A genuine and worldwide concerted effort exists to spread joy, alleviate misery, and address benevolent needs during the holidays.