Christians around the world celebrate Christmas this week. They believe in the miracle of the Incarnation, in which God came into the world by being born as a baby and living a human life on this earth, and that this is a centuries-long fulfillment. of prophecy.
Jesus of Nazareth was born around 4 B.C. in Bethlehem, a small Israeli town about eight miles south of Jerusalem. Christians believe that he was born of a virgin named Mary. She was probably around 13 or 14 years old and was officially engaged to Joseph, who was probably around 15 or 17 years old.
Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus had decreed a census of the Roman Empire, and Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to register as descendants of King David from that city. And Jesus was born in a stable. The inn they wanted to stay in had no rooms available.
However, followers of Jesus believe that much more happened that night. In the Old Testament of the Bible, there are dozens of prophecies recorded over the centuries that speak of the Messiah (Greek for “Christ”). Messiah means the “anointed one” chosen by God to save and rule over God's people.
The Christian faith teaches that the birth of Jesus fulfilled some of those prophecies. This includes one written by Isaiah 700 years before Jesus. In Isaiah 9:6-7 the prophet wrote:
“6 a child is born to us,
A son was given to us.
and the government will stand on his shoulders,
and his name will be called
Great Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 About his government and the expansion of peace.
There will be no end,
On the throne of David and his kingdom,
to establish and maintain it
with justice and righteousness
From now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
These verses speak of a king who will sit on the throne of Israel, and Jews and Christians alike refer to the Bible's promise that God told King David that Christ would be one of his descendants. I'm doing it.
But Christians point out that these verses are about more than ordinary political leaders. A title like “Prince of Peace” might be given to a leader who ushered in an era of peace and harmony, but the title “Eternal Father” sounds like a divine title, and “Mighty God” sounds like a title to God. It is literally the title of God.
Furthermore, these verses say that this messianic government will have no end, meaning God will give him rules that will last forever. Therefore, Christians believe that this ruler is immortal and is God himself.
At Christmas, followers of Jesus celebrate the coming of Almighty God as a child and taking on human nature. Christians believe in a triune God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three distinct persons who make up one eternal God. Christians believe that over 2,000 years ago in that small town in Israel, God the Son was born to Mary as the baby Jesus.
That's just the beginning of the story. The New Testament records the life of Jesus, who changed the world. And Christians believe that after 33 years, at the end of his perfect life, he will be betrayed, arrested, slandered, tortured, and then die on a cross on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
However, followers of Jesus believe that by His death, Jesus paid the price for the sins of all men forgiven throughout the ages, and that on the third day Jesus Christ rose physically from the dead. We believe that He will rise from the dead and give eternal life to all who rely on Him. In faith.
Historians and philosophers will readily admit that there is no more important figure in world history than Jesus. Literally billions of people throughout the ages have claimed his name. The date of the world calendar also dates from his birth.
But those who call themselves by the name of Jesus believe those indisputable facts, while extraordinary and unparalleled, pale in comparison to the rest of his story. . So when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, they celebrate that Jesus was born to die, and that his birth was the beginning of humanity's rescue mission.
So while countless people are saying “Merry Christmas” this week, for millions of others it's a day to celebrate what many call “the greatest story ever told.” is.
“The veiled God of the flesh sees. Praise Jesus, our Immanuel, God incarnate, who delights in our incarnation.”―Charles Wesley, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Breitbart News senior legal contributor Ken Kurkowski is a lawyer who served in the White House and Justice Department under President Donald Trump. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kenklukowski.
