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2000 years ago a baby boy was
born in a small place called Bethlehem in Judea. No one ever
thought that this little boy could change the world history. But
it has happened and we now have the historical years divided into
BC and AD. What is so miraculous about this baby's birth? Why is
Christmas very important to mankind? A little history will help
us answer the Whys, Whats and Hows...
There were many oracles and
prophecies about the birth of a saviour who will deliver the children
of God from all evil. The prominent one was from Isaiah.
Isaiah was a citizen of Jerusalem in the eighth century B.C.E.
His most famous pronouncement is the Immanuel oracle that assured
God's continued protection of the house of David, king
of Israel. Yes, the birth of this boy was prophesied 100 of years
before his birth and it also said that a virgin would give birth
to a baby. This is recorded in The Holy Bible in
the book of Isaiah. The verse goes like this “Therefore
the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with
child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”-
Isaiah 7: 14,15. God planned to send this child to save
the mankind and he was to be called ‘Immanuel’. Immanuel
means 'God with us'. Yes the child came into the
world and became one among us to be with us. He did not
come as a king but in a poor family so that he could mingle with
the poorest of the poor and live like one among them. Isn't
all these a miracle? How wonderful it is to have God living
amidst us as a comforter.
Not only a virgin was to give
birth to the boy, God also planned about his earthly parents,
his tribe, place and time of his birth and also the people who
will praise him with gifts. Bible verse says, “I see
him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will
come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” - Numbers
24:17. Thus he was to be born in the family of Jacob
also called as Israel. It’s also said that “The
scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from
between his feet,” - Genesis 49:10. Thus it was said
that he would be born in the tribe of Judah. “A shoot
will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch
will bear fruit.” - Isaiah 11:1. Joseph, the earthly
father of Jesus was the descendant of Jesse, Father of King David.
Prophet Micah who lived between 756-697 B.C prophesied about the
birth place of Jesus as “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though
you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for
me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of
old, from ancient times.” - as Micah 5:2.
King Solomon, son of King
David who lived during 970-928 BCE wrote in his Psalms as follows,
“The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to
him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.” - Psalm
72:10. As it was written, three wise men from eastern countries
came to worship Jesus following the star. The Wise Men were
representatives of the Persian priestly clan, the Magi. These
Wise Men were true scientists who studied Astronomy and believed
and honored Hebrew Scriptures. When they saw a star, they related
it to the Biblical teaching that God would use the stars as
“signs” and seasons (Genesis 1:14) and the Messianic prophecy that
a “star” would come out of the tribe of Judah which is said in
Numbers 24:17. Isn’t it a miracle that three men followed a star
to locate the baby boy Jesus? Isn’t it a miracle that this star
revealed the three men about the birth of a king?
The wise men were learned
people but who’ll inform the less educated men? That happened
through the angels. This is recorded in Luke 2:8-16 in the
Bible. Angels announced the birth of baby Jesus to the shepherds
who were watching over their flocks in the night. The shepherds
were told that the savior is born in Bethlehem. They immediately
hurried to Bethlehem and worshipped Jesus and praised God. How
thoughtful it is to let all men, rich and poor know that a savior
is born irrespective of their status in the community? God
thought about each and every one when he sent Jesus to this
earth.
Jesus came into this world as
a king of Love, humility, righteousness and peace. Thus said by
prophet Isaiah, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will
be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from
that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will
accomplish this.” - Isaiah 9:6-7. Jesus, Son of God came down to
earth on this beautiful day called Christmas because of the Love
he had for mankind, to spread that Love into this world so that we
may have an everlasting life eternal. Let us spread this love all
over and be humble to make this world a wonderful and gifted place
for every fellow human being.
Wish you
all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
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