The beginning of a new life on earth always brings with it hope and joy. However, there is a birth, so extraordinary and special, that authors have written about it many generations prior to its fulfillment, with each one looking forward to this event with joyful anticipation.
We read about it in the Bible:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
This event was the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people today remember it by celebrating ‘Christmas’ at the end of every year. It is therefore fitting that we ask ourselves – what makes this event more special than any other birth; so much so, that it is celebrated even to this day, in the 21st century?
The most special birth of all#
At first glance, nothing really stood out as ‘special’ about Jesus Christ’s birth.
A Boy is born in a barn due to a lack of space in all the inns of the city of Bethlehem. He is placed in a manger – something possibly unusual for its time, though maybe not unheard of.
His parents were not rich and of an affluent background – that is, people who are respected and well-known amongst the multitude. They were humble and poor people – quite ordinary people, I would say, perhaps just like you and me.
When Jesus was born in the barn in Bethlehem, there weren’t crowds of people flocking to come and see Him or to pay their respects to Him. No heralds went out into the streets to announce that a Child had been born to Joseph and Mary (as was the custom whenever a child was born to the king). Actually, almost no one knew about His birth.
All of this made it seem like it was no more special than any other birth.
That same night, an angel appeared in bright light to a group of shepherds, which were guarding their flocks and talking to each other about the long-time promises that had been written in anticipation of the birth of a Saviour or Messiah, as they called Him.
The angel, along with a bigger group of heavenly messengers declared the following:
…I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord … “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
No other birth has ever been announced to the world in this special manner. The angels heralded that something unusual, extraordinary had happened that night.
This Baby brought along with it a message of:
„great joy for all the people”.
How could the birth of a Child bring great joy to all people? The reason is given just after: “Today … a Savior has been born to you”.
Saviour of what exactly? The Bible talks about how humanity departed from God a long time ago.
After this decision of theirs, the tendency to do wrong (overstepping God’s commandments in the process) became a part of human nature. The Bible calls this “sin”. Today we see the devastating consequences of this choice.
Ecclesiastes 7:20Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
However, God did not leave things as they were. He made a plan for the salvation of humanity. In His great love, He gave His most precious – His only Son – to save everyone who believes in Him. The Bible describes this great truth in the following way:
John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago ultimately provided the opportunity for humanity to be reunited with God. Instead of eternal death as the wages of sin, it may enjoy eternal life again. This is indeed a message of great joy for all people on Earth!
„Glory to God“.
Yes, glory indeed be to God, for sending us His Son! From the Holy Scriptures we understand that Jesus Christ’s mission was the revelation of God’s character and glory to all the world, in a way that is accessible and easy for us to understand.
From the accounts of his life recorded in the four Gospels, we read that he spent whole days helping, healing, encouraging and caring for those who crowded around him. He responded with love to every need and to every appeal for help, which were often made by people rejected by society.
Through His teachings, Christ lifted up the spirits of broken hearts, almost defeated by the difficulty of daily life in the 1st century. He broke down the walls of prejudice that separated people and encouraged generosity, care and love for others in the hearts of His listeners.
Christ was ‘God come down to earth’ to teach us what it is to love truly. Not just yourself, but every single person. The Bible declares that “Christ the Lord” was born. Elsewhere he is described as the “Son of God” and as the “Son of Man”.
„on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests“.
Just as people who lived in the time of Jesus Christ, so many today expect Him to bring peace to the Earth by freeing them from the tyrants who rule over them. God’s promise, however, speaks of peace in a much higher sense, which surpasses all human conception in its scope and purposes. Through his teaching of love for God and neighbour, Jesus Christ aimed to show people how to live in harmony with heaven, which will inevitably bring peace and understanding amongst each other.
John 14:27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Through parables, stories and principles, He showed how love can lead to lasting peace in practice, both in Israel and throughout the whole world. Even today, the blessing promised by the angels remains valid for everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ:
Philippians 4:6, 7Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Christ’s nativity in the 21st century#
The news that the angels present about the birth of Jesus Christ is just as relevant and important today as it was for the world about 2000 years ago. Despite technological advancements and changing lifestyles, the world today is not that much different.
That is because humanity faces the same problems. Evil exists, love between people grows yet colder, and the world is shaken by violence, riots and wars, even to this very day. The need for a message of “great joy” and peace for this world only seems to increase with each passing day.
The wonderful news however, is that the message so solemnly announced from heaven that night is “for all the people,” including you and me. In his great love for mankind, God sent his Son into our world to give us hope for life everlasting. With regards to this life, He promises:
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
This invitation is given as a gift to anyone who chooses to accept it. Countless people have responded to it over the centuries and thus found peace and “great joy” for their lives, right here and now. You can experience these promises for yourself, too. The poet Angelus Silesius wrote:
Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.
Will you allow Christ to be born in your heart today? The Bible states how you can do so:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
