The world's celebration of Christmas has stripped the profound significance from the biblical accounts of Jesus Christ's birth, reducing them to mere lyrics for songs and trivialized portrayals. These passages, found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, are often overlooked or avoided due to their association with worldly traditions, yet they hold great importance as part of God's inspired Word. They deserve deeper consideration beyond the commercialized depictions. Luke, a masterful historian and literary writer, presents the birth of Jesus Christ with concise and artistic storytelling. In Luke 1, the angel, likely Gabriel, announces to Mary that she has found favor with God and is blessed among women to bear His Son. Luke emphasizes that the glory belongs to God for bestowing this grace upon her, not to Mary herself. She, though specially prepared for this honor, was an ordinary Jewess of David's line, and her favor came from God's graciousness. Mary, described as thoughtful and wise, was perplexed by the angel's words but remained composed, keeping these matters in her heart with patience. The angel quotes Messianic prophecies from Isaiah, informing Mary that the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son named Jesus, meaning Savior, and also called Immanuel, meaning God with us. Similarly, in Matthew's account, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, confirming that Mary's Child, conceived by the Holy Spirit, will be named Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins, and He will be God with us. Joseph, depicted as kind, humble, and obedient, accepts the angel's message without complaint and complies fully, despite the potential shame and disruption to his life. God, in His sovereignty, chose Mary and Joseph as the ideal couple to raise His Son, both exemplifying submission to His will. Despite the upheaval caused by His intervention, they selflessly yielded to His plan, ready to follow His guidance.

The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as recounted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, presents a vivid and glorious narrative of earth's most significant event. These accounts detail a divine impregnation and birth, potential scandal, angelic announcements, visions, dreams, magi with regal gifts, a murderous king, and a mysterious guiding star, rendering any embellishment unnecessary. An angel, likely Gabriel, visited Mary and Joseph separately to proclaim the human advent of Immanuel, God with Us, into their lives. They learned 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, ensuring that Jesus would be in good hands. Later, Joseph and Mary traveled 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, coinciding with the Feast of Trumpets. Due to the timing and the influx of people for the fall holy days, there was no room for them in the inn. Bethlehem, close to Jerusalem, was likely overcrowded with travelers, forcing the couple to find shelter in a grotto or cave, possibly used for housing animals. There, Jesus was laid in a manger, a trough for animals, which, with cleaning and fresh straw, provided a basic shelter. The swaddling cloths mentioned were customary strips of cloth used to wrap a child, not indicative of poverty, but a common practice of the time. Luke describes the announcement of the Messiah's birth to nearby shepherds, occurring in September or early October, as shepherds would not have been in the fields at night during the rainy winter months. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared with shocking brilliance, causing great fear among the shepherds. The angel reassured them, proclaiming good tidings of great joy, evangelizing the news that the way of salvation was opening to all people, especially to common folk like these shepherds. The angel declared that a Savior, Christ the Lord, was born that day in the city of David, linking Jesus' birth to Old Testament prophecies and intimating that this Child was God born as a human. Immediately following, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God with a hymn of glory to the Most High and peace on earth among those of His good pleasure. Their presence and song underscored the monumental importance of this event, reflecting their joy at this significant step in God's purpose. The angels' message highlighted that true peace begins with the birth of God's Son in Bethlehem, extending especially to those with whom He finds favor.

Despite the secularization of society, fascination with the historical basis of Jesus Christ's life persists, particularly around Christmas when His birth is celebrated. Many mainstream Christians observe Christmas on December 25 or January 6, though most acknowledge that evidence for this early winter date is limited. Scholarly discussions often highlight the lack of historical certainty about the exact date of His birth, with early Christian leaders not marking it until the late-third century. Origen of Alexandria, for instance, mocked celebrations of birth anniversaries as pagan practices, indicating that Jesus' birth was not commemorated in his time. Around the year 200, Clement of Alexandria noted various proposed dates for the Nativity, none of which were in December. By the fourth century, December 25 in the Roman West and January 6 in the East emerged as competing dates for this significant event in Bethlehem. Theories about the origin of these dates include influences from Roman pagan festivals like Saturnalia and the feast of Sol Invictus on December 25, as well as ancient beliefs tying Jesus' conception and death to March 25, exactly nine months before December 25. Biblical details, such as shepherds tending flocks at night, are often downplayed by scholars in favor of extra-biblical sources, yet these details suggest alternative timing for His birth.

The Nativity, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, is detailed in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. A specific birth date for our Savior is absent from these accounts, and a winter date is considered highly unlikely. In Palestine, December heralds the rainy season, a time when shepherds would no longer leave their flocks in the fields at night, suggesting Jesus' birth more likely occurred in autumn, possibly near the fall festivals of Trumpets or Tabernacles. Additionally, traditional depictions of the Nativity often err in details. The Gospels do not specify that there were three wise men, nor are their names recorded; the number three likely stems from the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to Him. When the wise men arrived, Jesus was not a newborn in a manger but a young Child in a house, indicating their visit occurred weeks or months after His birth. Traditional manger scenes also mistakenly combine the shepherds' immediate arrival after His birth with the later coming of the wise men. These accounts in Matthew and Luke provide the sole biblical information on Christ's birth, as neither Mark nor John include details of this event, focusing instead on later periods of His life.

As we approach the annual celebration of Christmas, it is acknowledged that God became flesh and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He was laid in a manger, and angels sang at His birth. However, Scripture suggests a different timing for these events. Calculations based on Zacharias' priestly service indicate that Jesus' conception occurred in December, pointing to His birth during the fall holy day season rather than late December. This challenges the traditional date associated with Christmas, which coincides with pagan festivals like Saturnalia, highlighting a discrepancy in the historical and cultural context of the celebration.

The accounts of Jesus Christ's birth, as presented in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, hold significant meaning that has been overshadowed by worldly portrayals. These passages reveal fulfilled prophecies, build faith and hope, and offer instruction and edification. In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph of the house of David, that she has found favor with God and will conceive a Son named Jesus by the power of the Highest. Gabriel assures her that the Lord is with her, and she is blessed among women, emphasizing that this honor originates from God's grace. Mary, though initially perplexed, thoughtfully considers the message and submits unconditionally as the handmaiden of the Lord, ready to fulfill God's will. In Matthew 1, Joseph, upon learning of Mary's pregnancy, contemplates a quiet resolution to avoid shame. An angel appears to him in a dream, revealing that the Child is conceived by the Holy Spirit and will be called Immanuel, meaning God with us, and will save His people. Joseph, a humble and obedient man, accepts the angel's words without complaint and complies with the divine instruction. This couple, chosen by God, exemplifies submission and selflessness despite the disruption to their plans. The birth of Jesus occurs in Bethlehem during a time of taxation, likely around the fall, as there is no room in the inn due to the influx of people. Mary and Joseph find shelter in a grotto or cave, and Jesus is laid in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths. Shepherds in the fields, watching their flocks by night, are suddenly visited by an angel who announces good tidings of great joy for all people, declaring that a Savior, Christ the Lord, is born in the city of David. A host of angels then appears, praising God with a hymn of glory to the Most High and proclaiming peace on earth among those favored by God. The shepherds, initially terrified, are calmed and go to witness the Child as described, marking the beginning of the gospel message to the humble and overlooked. These events underscore the profound significance of Jesus Christ's birth as a pivotal step in God's plan, far beyond mere seasonal celebrations.

The life of Jesus Christ serves as a perfect example for us to follow in every aspect. Regarding His birth, some argue that He was born under the law, implying He was bound to observe Old Covenant rules and regulations. However, a closer examination reveals that Jesus Christ was not under the law from His birth in the sense of being obligated to keep these rituals. Galatians 4:4 states that God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, emphasizing His humanity and the miraculous nature of His conception through the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. This verse does not indicate that He was bound by the Old Covenant at birth but highlights His human condition, subject to the same terms as any other man. Furthermore, scriptures often cited to suggest Jesus was under the law, such as those detailing His circumcision and the offerings made by His parents after His birth, refer to actions performed by Joseph and Mary, not by Jesus Himself. At eight days old, He was unaware of these events. Additionally, Jesus Christ was only placed under the law at the time of His crucifixion, when God the Father laid the burden of the world's sins upon Him, as seen in Galatians 3:13. Throughout His life, He led a perfect, sinless existence, and thus the Old Covenant rituals, meant to remind Israel of their sins and need for a Savior, did not apply to Him. His example remains one we are to follow in all respects, unencumbered by the notion that He was bound by laws we are not required to keep.