The Birth of Jesus Christ

GOLDEN TEXT: “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:21

MATTHEW 1:1, 18-25

THE birth of Jesus was an outstanding development in the outworking of God’s great plan of salvation. Beginning at the time of man’s fall into sin and death, and continuing throughout the Old Testament period, God had been making promises concerning the corning of a Savior and Deliverer. In a statement made in the Garden of Eden this One is spoken of as the “Seed” of the woman. (Gen. 3:15) In the Patriarchal Age the promise was that the “Seed” of Abraham would bless all families of the earth.—Gen. 12:3; 22:18

This Great One was also to be “Shiloh,” of the tribe of Judah, the One later identified as “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” (Gen. 49:8-10; Rev. 5:5) Isaiah foretold the birth of this Great One, and assigned to him such titles as “The Prince of Peace”; “The mighty God”; and others, explaining that “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isa. 9:6,7) Isaiah also foretold that this Savior of the people would be born of a virgin, and that his name should be called “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.”—Isa. 7:14

These, and many other promises of God, gave the devout of Israel a definite hope that one day the Messiah would appear; that their nation would be delivered from the Roman yoke, exalted to a position of authority throughout the earth, and bring blessings to all mankind. But until Jesus was born this hope was based entirely upon promises. Now these promises began to be fulfilled, and those in Israel who understood the significance of what was taking place, and had faith to believe that God was actually fulfilling his promises, had great cause for rejoicing.

The angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth emphasizes this fact of fulfillment: “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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10,11) To the former generations of Israelites the Messiah had been promised, but now he was born, and that indeed was “good tidings of great joy.”

The birth of Jesus was miraculous. He was not son of Joseph, but the Son of God, and was known in his prehuman existence as the “Logos,” or Word of God. (John 1:1-5) In order to be the Redeemer and Savior of the world it was necessary for the Logos, God’s Son, to be made flesh. He did not assume a body of flesh—he became flesh; a perfect human being, who could give his humanity in death as a substitute for the forfeited life of Adam, and through Adam the entire human race.

Paul explains that Jesus gave himself a “ransom,” meaning a corresponding price, for all. (I Tim. 2:4-6) To do this it was essential that Jesus be the exact equivalent of father Adam before he sinned. Man was created a little lower than the angels, and we are told that Jesus, as a human, was also a little lower than the angels, crowned with human “glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Ps. 8:5; Heb. 2:9) Thus, as Paul explains, “By man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”—I Cor. 15:21,22

The prophecy of Isaiah (7:14) foretold that this Messiah would be called “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” This does not imply that Jesus was God incarnate in flesh. It simply denotes that his birth and ministry manifested the presence and favor of Jehovah with his people, that the messianic promises which he had made were being fulfilled. While this one prophecy of Isaiah stipulated that the name “Immanuel” should be given to this child of promise, there is no record to indicate that he ever went by this name. It is simply one of the titles which helps us to realize more fully the purpose and scope of his ministry.

The Scriptures give no indication that the followers of Jesus should commemorate his birth, although it is always appropriate to remember this unspeakable gift of God, through, whom all might have life. December 25 is not the true date of Jesus’ birth. Since his ministry was three and one-half years in length, and he was crucified in the spring, this would bring his birth to about October 1. But the main thing is to rejoice that the Savior was born, and that he gave his life that we might live.

QUESTIONS

Name some of the Old Testament promises concerning the coming of the Messiah.

Why was it necessary for Jesus to be made flesh?

Explain the meaning of the name “Immanuel.”

What is the true date of Jesus’ birth?

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