The real story of Christmas: Unto us a child is born

There are lots of stories of Christmas and The First Noel. Some are myths, fables, and traditions, but here is the actual inspired account. This is just a few short pages, and it only takes a few minutes to read, but it’s more thrilling and more uplifting than any mere myth, fable, or tradition could be.

Starting with the prophecy of Isaiah written more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ…

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Then interleaving the accounts in the 4 Parallel Gospels starting with Luke’s explanation of his own research…

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
     Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
     Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
     The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.
     After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” (Luke 1:5-25)

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.  “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.  “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:39-45)

And Mary said:
“My soul exalts the Lord,
     And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
     For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
     And holy is His name.
“AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION
     TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
     He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
     And has exalted those who were humble.
“HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;
     And sent away the rich empty-handed.
“He has given help to Israel His servant,
     In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
     To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. (Luke 1:46-56)

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.
     And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. (Luke 1:57-66)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
     And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.  The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:8-20)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)

And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
     And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
     According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
     Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
     And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
     And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:22-38)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
     ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
     WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
     So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

“A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,
     WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,
RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;
     AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,
BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.” (Matthew 2:16-18)

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:19-23)

When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. (Luke 2:39)

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:40)

6 Replies to “The real story of Christmas: Unto us a child is born”

  1. I was taught a long time ago that Jesus WAS Not born in the winter but-that HE WAS Born in the late fall whereby folks could still travel to pay their taxes!!!

    If this is True then WHY – does the overwhelming majority of The American Church – have no clue re this?

    • Greetings Ronnie,

      Like many other Christians, I was raised in a very strict, extremely legalistic, hyper-dispensational church that took unreasonable self-righteous pride in not celebrating Christmas because we KNEW better. This attitude was part of almost everything we did. We felt we were better Christians and closer to God because of our knowledge and our works. Yikes!!!!

      But, when I got a glimpse of grace it changed everything. When I discovered that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world to make every believer accepted in the beloved it shamed me to my core. When I realized that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross for my sins just as much as everyone else’s sins, it turned me around. When I realized that the purpose of the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ was to reconcile everyone in the whole world to him, I repented.

      It took me much longer than Peter to realize that I was not to call anything unclean that Jesus Christ had called clean (Acts 10:15). I had always know that I was saved through faith in Jesus Christ without any works on my part (Titus 3:5-6). But, when I really started to understand that Jesus Christ saved me by FAITH and not by KNOWLEDGE, I start to realize that was true of other people. Even Christians who were floundering in immaturity and trapped in false doctrine were still perfect in his sight. Now, I accept all Christians where they are and let God and the Holy Spirit work in their lives. My responsibility is to always be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15).

      We know that Jesus Christ was born. It was the turning point of the ages. Old testament saints looked forward to his atoning sacrifice. New testament saints look backward to his atoning sacrifice. Jesus Christ defeated sin when he died on the cross and he defeated death when he rose from the grave. But, we don’t know when he was born. I have heard arguments for all 4 seasons and various religious feast days.

      Like you, I was always taught that he was born in the Spring. But, I can’t prove what the climate was like that year in that part of the world. It might have been any time. If it was important for us to know the actual date, God would have preserved it for us because he gave us the Scriptures to make us perfectly furnished for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). This I do know, making Spring versus December an issue to divide Christians is anathema to Jesus Christ (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 12; Colossians 3; Acts 15).

      One important fact is Jesus Christ gave up his divine privileges (Philippians 2:1-11) and died the death of a sinner on the cross (Galatians 3:13) so that he could be lifted up and draw all men unto himself (John 12:32). Part of his humiliation is the ongoing ridicule like the sinners that were crucified with him. Part of his humility is to forgive the ignorance of sinners. I want to be part of that ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) even if I am ridiculed for it.

      Now, if I can use this time of year to talk to people about the Lord Jesus Christ instead of arguing with them about when he was born, I will gladly do that. Now, if a Christmas tree is banned from public places because it speaks of Jesus Christ, I will put one in the front window of my home. Now, if some nominal Christians will make a once-a-year effort to come to church, I want to welcome them and encourage them to live for God every day.

      Hope that helps,
      David

    • God only wants our love and then He will allow us knowledge. He has never let me down, but I am the one who is capable of letting my Creator down, and even letting Jesus Christ become sad, but I try hard every day to make God and Jesus Christ happy. As we become wise through Gods word, wise as only God can reveal this wisdom and Jesus Christ being the only teacher with the truth, why are pulpit speakers still trying to make christmas out to be a Godly day. Jesus Christ said to help those who you know and do it in Gods name. Since people do not read or hear truth from the pulpit, they just drop off money in the offering plate and think they are saved for the week…sad for sure. People charge on credit or spend money that is needed for life requirements. People party and become intoxicated. People drive while intoxicated and kill others. Some people just go shopping for gifts and die in crashes. 99.99% of people never bring up Jesus Christ during all of the said christmas day celebrations. Big business makes a lot of money during this time and they are not even true christians. The brick and mortar pulpit speakers want the attendance higher so they go with the world and its ways when we enter into December each year. The trick is in the colors of decoration that entice people to become happier and that translates into people becoming friendlier and then…presto…the reason for the season, and then on the 26th of December…its over. Do what you want and I am not picking on you whatsoever, but please, pick up your cross once more, and follow after Jesus Christ.

      • Greetings Jeffrey,

        Thank you for taking the time to reply. It is very sad how so many people ignore Jesus Christ at every event on every day of the year. Since Jesus Christ was born as the king of the Jews in Bethlehem of a virgin as God manifest in the flesh to be the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world, according to the prophecies of the scriptures, I will celebrate his eternal godhead from eternity past through his time on earth, including his birth, life, death, and resurrection, to eternity future when all Christians are caught up to be with the Lord forever. I will not let anyone’s unfaithfulness or pagan popish rituals stop me from using the opportunity of this holiday to tell people about the glorious gospel of salvation.

        • But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:18)
        • Here is a trustworthy saying:
          If we died with him,
          we will also live with him;
          if we endure,
          we will also reign with him.
          If we disown him,
          he will also disown us;
          if we are faithless,
          he remains faithful,
          for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.