Nearly two millennia's ago a young Jewish virgin by the name of Mary (Miriam) gave birth to a baby they called Jesus (Yeshua).

Strange events began to occur after Joseph, a Nazareth carpenter discovered his fiancee was pregnant. Not having had sex with her, he became upset and prepared to end their marriage plans quietly. Espousal was a legal contract and infidelity, a serious matter. Mary could have been disgraced and even stoned under Jewish law, if found guilty.

While considering the dilemma, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him with assurance of her innocence and God's plan for their lives. "Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call Him Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matt. 1:20-21)

The Bible states that Joseph obeyed and abstained from sexual intercourse with Mary, until she had brought forth her first born son.

The Hebrew word Yeshua means 'salvation or Saviour', which is translated Jesus, while Miriam is called Mary.

There were other unusual events like: Wise men coming from the East to worship Him, being led by His star, and shepherds visited by an angelic host and told of His birth in a stable in Bethlehem.

Hebrew prophets had foretold His coming for thousands of years before He arrived. Isaiah prophesied His virgin birth 700 years before it happened. Daniel pin-pointed the very year of the Messiah's death.

Micah named Bethlehem as the place of His birth, Zechariah foretold His wounding and both Daniel and David prophesied His scourging and death by crucifixion hundreds of years before that method of execution was introduced to Palestine by the Romans.

GOD'S PROMISE

God's first promise of "the Redeemer" was given in the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve's transgression. Speaking to Satan, God said, "And I will put enmity between her seed and thy seed, it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel". (Gen. 3:15)

The "seed of the woman" was Jesus Christ, the King Messiah! And when He died on Calvary's cross, Satan's dominion over mankind was destroyed.

The Bible says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)

God's prophetic Word is documented hundreds of times concerning the birth, life, death and resurrection of Messiah, and these hundreds of prophecies have come true in the person of Jesus.

God's promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob foretold Messiah's involvement in the salvation of all peoples. "... in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (Gen. 12:3)

Daniel speaks of "Messiah the Prince". Haggai calls Him, "The Desire of all nations" and Zechariah declares Him to be "the Shepherd against which men will lift their sword”.

THE WRITERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ADD THEIR WITNESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS MESSIAH, ACCORDING TO THE OLD TESTAMENT.

St. John stated that he and the other disciples heard Him speak, saw His miracles and touched Him, before and after His death and resurrection. And like Napoleon, John was convinced that Jesus was more than a man. He is the Logos, the Living Word of God!

St. John wrote, "We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming to our Lord Jesus Christ, but were ye witnesses of His Majesty".

Infidels and skeptics have said that Jesus staged many events, including His death, in order to be hailed "Messiah"!

How could anyone stage the following? 1) PLACE OF BIRTH 2) TIME OF BIRTH 3) VIRGIN BIRTH 4) BETRAYAL 5) METHOD OF EXECUTION 6) CRUEL MOCKING 7) PIERCING 8) BURIAL 9) RESURRECTION!

Prophet Isaiah stated, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given". And St. John's gospel records "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life". (John 3:16)

WHY CHRISTMAS IS SO IMPORTANT!

The Christian Church has set aside December 25 each year to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God!

Millions of people world wide honor His birth! He is what makes Christmas special! Its message is electrifying, its supernatural dimension awesome and its dynamic affect upon society historic!

The fulfillment of the ancient prophecies, the message of Gabriel - the archangel - to Mary and Joseph, the wise men's "guiding star", the angelic visit to Judean shepherds and God's revelation of Jesus' identity to Simeon in the Temple, underscore the significance of this great event.

I thank God for Christmas and the impact of its message on our lives; spiritually, morally and socially!

CHRISTMAS WILL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL AND EXCITING. A TIME FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. A TIME FOR LOVING, SHARING AND RELAXING. AND A TIME FOR GIVING AND RECEIVING!

Every Christmas is basically the same. Scriptures outlining the Saviour's birth are read in our churches, sermons are preached and carols are sung. Bible texts are featured in newspapers, sacred music played over radios and Christmas cards exchanged by the millions.

Highlighted through it all, are the hopeful words of the angels to the lowly shepherds, that first Christmas morning.

"Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." (Luke 2:10-12)

Christmas is a time to dispel fear, by sharing the Gospel in word and deed - helping lift someone's heavy load - and pointing them to the Saviour Who will grant forgiveness, peace and joy!

The story of Christmas says that someday there will be peace on earth and goodwill among men because of God's great gift and Christ's sacrifice for us. When He returns in power to rule and reign, Satan will be banished and peace will reign universally. In the meantime, He reigns in the hearts and minds of those who trust in Him as Lord & Saviour!

In my opinion, Jim Wolf's poem 'The True Story of Christmas' says it all!

"It happened on a silent night
Two thousand years ago;
God sent to us His only Son
Because He loved us so.

 While angels watched from up above,
The blessed babe was born,
And laid into a manger
On that first real Christmas morn.
The shepherds came to worship Him
The eastern wise men, too,
To celebrate His holy birth
As now all Christians do.

 The greatest story ever told
Is not of shopping malls;
It's how God's Son was born on earth
To love and save us all."