The Nativity of Jesus Christ, as recounted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, offers a vivid and glorious record of earth's most important birth. These accounts detail a divine impregnation, potential scandal, angelic announcements, visions, dreams, magi with regal gifts, a murderous king, and a mysterious guiding star. The angel, likely Gabriel, visited Mary and Joseph separately to proclaim the human advent of Immanuel, God with us. They were told that this divine Being would be born of Mary, with Joseph, as her betrothed, taking on the role of the Child's human father. They were instructed to name Him Jesus, akin to the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning savior. Both Mary and Joseph accepted this immense responsibility with humility and without complaint. Luke's narrative continues with Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem for a tax registration decreed by Caesar Augustus, likely around the fall harvest, near the end of September or early October in 4 BC. This timing, coinciding with the fall holy days and the Roman registration, resulted in no room at the inn due to the overflow of travelers. Consequently, they found shelter in a grotto or cave, possibly used for animals, where Jesus' first crib was a feeding trough. The swaddling cloths mentioned were customary strips of cloth used to wrap a child, not an indication of poverty. Luke further describes the announcement of the Messiah's birth to nearby shepherds. An angel of the Lord appeared suddenly with shocking majesty, declaring good tidings of great joy. The angel informed them of a Savior born in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord, linking His birth to Old Testament prophecies. A multitude of the heavenly host then joined, praising God with the hymn, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." This sudden appearance of God's vast army emphasized the significance of the event, celebrating a major step in God's purpose.

We are nearing the season when the world marks the supposed birth of Jesus Christ, a time filled with pervasive cheer that many of us find challenging to navigate. As members of the church of God, we do not observe Christmas, which often draws curiosity and questions about our stance. The premise of Christmas rests on the belief that Jesus was born on December 25, a date that a person striving to follow biblical truth will recognize as unfounded. Luke, a respected historian, provides a detailed and orderly account in his gospel that clarifies the general time of Jesus' birth. In Luke 1:5 through 2:8, he chronicles events starting with Zacharias, a priest of the course of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth, who were childless. During his temple service, the angel Gabriel announced they would have a son named John. Gabriel later informed Mary, in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, that she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus. Mary then stayed with Elizabeth until nearly the time of John's birth, indicating Jesus was born approximately six months after John. Historical details from Luke's account, combined with other chronological markers, suggest Jesus was born in 4 BC. This timeline, tracing back through the nine months of gestation and the six-month age difference, places John's conception in early 5 BC, aligning with the first shift of the course of Abijah when Gabriel visited Zacharias. Knowing the true time of Jesus' birth undermines the foundation of the Christmas holiday and reinforces the accuracy of God's Word as verifiable and historically precise. It equips us to provide reasoned explanations for our beliefs in a world of compromise and confusion, urging us to study and adhere to what is true rather than accept counterfeit traditions.

The Nativity of Jesus Christ is often associated with the celebration of Christmas, observed on December 25 in most churches, except the Church of Armenia, which celebrates it on January 6. However, the actual date of Jesus' birth remains unknown, and there is no evidence of celebrating the Nativity before the third century. The first chapters of Matthew and Luke are frequently cited by people as a basis for this celebration, yet nowhere in God's Word is there a command to commemorate His birth. In contrast, specific scriptures provide detailed instructions on observing God's feasts, including the months, days, and duration, highlighting a clear distinction. The wise men, as recorded in Matthew 2:9-11, brought gifts to Jesus at the house where Joseph and Mary stayed, following a star, but they did not exchange gifts among themselves. Despite this, the celebration of Christmas lacks biblical endorsement and is seen as an addition to Christianity not rooted in God's Spirit.