The christmas celebrated on 12/25 is a special time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy, love and hope. However, we often get lost in traditions and consumerism, forgetting the true meaning of this date.
The Bible does not specify the exact date of Jesus’ birth. There are no accounts in the Gospels that indicate the exact day Jesus was born. The accounts of Jesus’ birth are found in the Gospels of Matthew (chapters 1 and 2) and Luke (chapters 1 and 2), but both evangelists focus more on the events related to the birth and the circumstances, such as the visit of the wise men, the star in heaven and the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
The tradition of celebrating Christmas on December 25 began to be established in the 4th century, but this date is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. The choice of day may have been influenced by the celebration of pagan festivals that occurred close to that time of year, as well as by the desire to replace such celebrations with a Christian festival.
Therefore, although the Bible provides details about the birth of Jesus, it does not indicate the specific date of the event. The focus of the biblical accounts is on the spiritual meanings and theological importance of Jesus’ birth rather than providing specific chronological details. In this Bible study, we will explore what Christmas really means in light of Scripture.
The Fulfillment of Prophecies
To understand the meaning of Christmas, we need to go back to the prophets of the Old Testament. They announced the coming of the Messiah, who would bring salvation and redemption to the world. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of these prophecies. He came as Immanuel, God with us, to reconcile us with the Father and offer us eternal life.
- Isaiah: Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
- Micah: Micah 5:2 – “And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though I am small among thousands of Judah, out of you will come to me one who will be Lord in Israel, whose origins are from ancient times, from the days of eternity.”
- Jeremiah: Jeremiah 23:5 – “Behold, the days come, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous Branch for David; and, being king, he will reign and act wisely, he will execute judgment and justice in the earth.”
- Zechariah: Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, your king will come to you, righteous and a Savior, poor, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Old Testament prophecies reveal the nature and purpose of Jesus’ birth. The virgin birth, the descent of David and the city of Bethlehem are just some of the prophecies fulfilled in Christ. These prophecies show us that Christmas is not just a beautiful story, but a concrete proof of God’s love and faithfulness towards us.
The Gift of Salvation and the Example of Humility
Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift we have ever received: salvation through Jesus Christ. He came into the world to free us from sin and condemnation. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the story of redemption, which would culminate in his sacrificial death and resurrection.
When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the gift of salvation. Jesus came to reconcile us with God and offer us eternal life. He is the only way to the Father, and through Him we can find forgiveness, peace and hope. Christmas reminds us that we are loved and that God is always by our side, even in the most difficult times.
The birth of Jesus in a manger teaches us a profound lesson about humility. He, who is the King of kings, chose to be born in humble conditions, far from comfort and grandeur. Jesus came into the world as a vulnerable baby, dependent on his earthly parents.
And it came to pass, while they were there, that the days were fulfilled in which she should 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. Luke 2:6-7
This humility shows us that Christmas is not about ostentation or material riches, but about simplicity and humility of heart. Jesus came to serve and teach us the importance of loving and caring for each other. He calls us to live lives of humility and service, following his example.
The Eternal Hope
Christmas also reminds us of the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ. He came into the world to bring light to darkness, to bring hope to the hopeless, and to bring life to those who were dead in their sins. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the history of salvation, which leads us to eternal life with God.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned.Mark 16:16
When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the hope we have in Christ. He is our light in the midst of difficulties, our hope when everything seems lost. Christmas reminds us that, even in the midst of adversity, we can have hope, because Jesus overcame death and gave us abundant life.
Conclusion
Christmas is much more than just gifts, decorations and festivities. It is an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of this special date. In light of the Scriptures, we discover that Christmas is about the fulfillment of prophecies, the gift of salvation, the example of humility and the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ.
May this Christmas we can turn our hearts to the true meaning of this date, remembering the love of God manifested in his Son. May we share this message of hope with those around us so that everyone can experience the true meaning of Christmas.
May Christmas be a time of spiritual renewal, love for others and gratitude for the gift of salvation. May we celebrate the birth of Jesus with joy and reverence, recognizing that He is the center of everything. May the true meaning of Christmas be present in our hearts throughout the year.
