Christmas: Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies on the Birth of Jesus Christ

Through hundreds of years different peoples around the world celebrates the birth of Jesus whom Christians believed to be God's promised Messiah. There are over 360 prophecies in the Old Testament relating to the Messiah. And only Jesus could fulfill many of those prophecies as the Messiah. Jesus Christ was born during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar or about 700 years after those prophecies were made.

One of the most notable prophecies about the Messiah was made by Isaiah at about 712 B.C. Chapter 9, verse 6 in the Old Testament says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Mankind inherited the sin committed by God's original human creations who were Adam and Eve who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. God had to send His Son to the world to redeem mankind, and chose a virgin to beget His only Son. Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and call His name Immanuel." This prophecy was fulfilled in Luke 1:34-35 which says, "Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?' and the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called Son of God.'" The word "Immanuel" means God with us. Man cannot reach God, but God came in the flesh to this world through his Son Jesus.

The Old Testament stated that God has a Son: Proverbs 30:4 (about 700 B.C.) "Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all ends of the earth? what is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know?"

The Old Testament made mention of the place where mankind's savior would be born. Micah 5:2 (about 710 B.C.) says, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be true ruler of Israel, whose goings forth are from the old, from everlasting." This prophecy is fulfilled in Luke 2:4-6 which says, "Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with a child. So it was while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered."

Since the early Christian era the nature of Christ has been the cause of confusion and division among Christians and non-Christians who deny the divinity of Christ. Roman Catholics believe that there is only one God in three persons- the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Non-Christians and even some Christian religious groups question this concept of a monotheistic God. But adherents of trinity believe that it is one of the greatest mysteries of God as far as the Catholic and other Christian faiths are concerned. Indeed, in Isaiah 9:8 the Mighty God is one of the names of the Messiah. Jesus Himself said in John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

Jesus is one of the historical and religious figures that laid good moral foundations for mankind to follow. He was chaste and lived a sinless life. He also helped the poor and healed the sick. He told His followers to love God and to love not only their neighbors but also their enemies. He also defied traditions that were unjust and even barbaric but were socially acceptable during His time. A case in point was the adulterous woman who was to be stoned to death. Jesus told her accusers to cast the first stone if they themselves had never ever sinned. There are many good deeds of Jesus that are worth emulating. Love is one of Jesus' central themes during his ministry. Laws and cultures of some Western nations are founded on Judeo-Christian traditions and some of them are inspired by the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ.

There are controversies regarding the month Christ was born. In most parts of the world Christmas is usually celebrated in December. Some Biblical scholars say that December is not likely the month of Jesus' birth because at that time shepherds were out in the fields watching their flock. They would not do it in a harsh winter month. Jesus may have been born in months other than December. But should the month of celebration of Christmas really matter? The most important thing for us is to be grateful of God's fulfillment of His promise which He did because of His love for us. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.