With
all the commercialization of Christmas many people are left wondering
what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Well, I am here to
explain the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas used to be my
favorite holiday as a child. I loved everything about it, the
decorations, food, carols, family and of course, presents. But as I
became an adult, I found myself disappointed with the holidays. The
true meaning of Christmas was somehow lost to the world.
That
joyous day that I remembered as a child was traded for a big
commercialized nightmare. Jesus had been forgotten. No room in the
inn has been replaced with ‘sold out’ signs. I remember when it
was a day of giving, prayer, kindness, and helping those less
fortunate, but the horrible reality is that Society has taken Christ
out of Christmas. They replace it with Happy Holiday's or Season's
Greetings. People are even afraid to say Merry Christmas to someone
without offending them.
The
Birth Of Jesus Christ, & The Three Wise Men According To The Book
of Matthew
The
Gospel of Matthew refers to the story of the Magi or the three wise
men that arrived in Bethlehem by observing a specific star in the
night sky. This is known as the Star of Bethlehem. Incidentally they
entered into King Herod’s palace and inquired about the birth of
young Messiah (Savior). The deceitful Herod at once became worried
about his being dethroned. He directed the Magi to continue their
journey and inform him if they could trace the birth of such young
king. The star of Bethlehem directed the Magi to the manger of the
baby Jesus. They offered their gifts and paid homage to their Lord.
But the Magi didn’t inform Herod as they got a divine warning. An
angel told Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt. Meanwhile, Herod
ordered that all male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2 be
killed. Although traditional nativity scenes show that there were
three wise men and that they arrived shortly after His birth the
Bible tells us that there were many and by the time they reached
Jesus he was around two years of age.
Actual Christmas History
does not mention the exact date of birth of Christ. It may occur
between the time of the first appearance of the star and the arrival
of Magi in Herod's court during (6-4BC).
"Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man,
and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her
away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel
of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of
David, 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 his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin
shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call
his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then
Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had
brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
- Matthew 1:18-25
"Now
when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying,
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star
in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king
had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with
him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes
of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be
born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is
written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art
not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a
Governor, that shall rule my people Israel, Then Herod, when he had
privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time
the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and
search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him,
bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they
had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw
in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the
young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young
child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and
when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts;
gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream
that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way."
- Matthew 2:1-12
The Birth of
Christ According to The Gospel of Luke
The
story of Nativity or the birth of Christ as illustrated in the Gospel
of Luke is all about the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to
Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. In order to attend the census
ordered by the Roman emperor Augustus, Mary and Joseph journeyed for
4-5 days and when they arrived there were no rooms available. A kind
man lead them to a stable and they took shelter there, where
Mary delivered baby Jesus.
"And
it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing
was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to
be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being
great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought
forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the
Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people."
- Luke 2:1-10
"For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone
away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us
now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and
found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they
had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those
things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these
things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were
accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called
JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the
womb." - Luke 2:11-21
True Christmas History
interprets Dec.25 as the Day of Feast. This is because the Roman
pagan sun god Mithras’ birthday as well as the date of the
Annunciation (March25, AD 29) of Christ fell on this day
