The blending of paganism with inspired Scripture has degraded and obscured the meaning and glory of what happened in the announcement of Jesus Christ's birth.

The dominant emphasis of Matthew is the kingly qualities of Jesus as a descendant of the royal house of David, representing the Lion of Judah.

Luke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.

Jesus' sinless and faithful life qualifies Him as King of Kings, in contrast to the kings of Israel who seriously fell short God's requirements.

When we think of messiah, we think of Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible has a much broader definition. The pagan emperor Cyrus the Great was also a messiah!