Why Is Christmas So Important? Long-Awaited Messiah and King Comes

¹ Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea (Judah), during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men (Gentile astrologers, Magi) from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him.” ³ King Herod was deeply disturbed (troubled) when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.

 ⁴ He (Herod) called a meeting of the leading (chief) priests and teachers of religious law (scribes) and asked, “Where is the Messiah (Christ) supposed to be born?” ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ⁶ ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least (insignificant) among the ruling (chief) cities of Judah, for a Ruler (Leader) will come from you who will be the Shepherd for My people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod called for a private (secret) meeting with the wise men (Gentile astrologers, Magi), and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared (in the east). ⁸ Then he (Herod) told them (wise men), “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the Child. And when you find Him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship Him, too!”

⁹ After this interview, the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided (went before) them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the Child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had (divinely) warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)

Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year! During the Christmas season, we celebrate the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah and King coming to earth in the Babe, the Lord Jesus. For centuries, everyone in the whole world – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) – were awaiting the arrival of the Messiah (also known as Christ) and the great King of the World. The Old Testament prophecies predicted the coming of the Messiah (Christ) and a great King from the family line of King David, who was Israel’s greatest king (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:11-16; Isaiah 7:14-16; Isaiah 9:1-7; Micah 5:2). With the arrival of the Babe Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah and King had come (e.g., see Matthew 1:1, 17; Matthew 2:2; Luke 1:32-33, 69; Luke 2:4-7)! At the Lord Jesus' birth, the earth and heavens celebrated and worshiped the newborn King and Messiah with great joy and excitement - the heavenly angels, shepherds, the Gentile wise men, Simeon, and the prophetess Anna (see also, Luke 2:8-38).

The Lord Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem located five miles south of Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1; see also Luke 2:4-7, 15). Bethlehem was in Judah, also known as Judea, in the southern land of Israel (see Matthew 2:6). Many years earlier the Old Testament prophet Micah predicted a great Ruler would come from Bethlehem of the tribe of Judah (see Micah 5:2). Bethlehem was the also the birthplace of King David, Israel greatest and most respected king (see 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Samuel 17:12, 15; Luke 2:4, 11; John 7:42).

At the time of the Lord Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, wicked Herod was king in the Judea region (Matthew 2:1; see also Luke 1:5). He was born into an Idumean family, who were descendants of Esau (Edom). Herod was an able and strong man, but he was evil, very cruel, and ruthless as well as mentally unstable. He permitted no one, not even his own family, to interfere with his kinship. In fact, historians discovered that Herod had his wife and her two brothers killed because he suspected them of treason. Moreover, historians reported that Herod was married at least nine times. Nonetheless, Herod increased greatly the splendor of Jerusalem by erecting the Temple that was the center of Jewish worship at the time of our Lord Jesus’ birth. Herod ruled from 37 to 4 BC, so many scholars believe the Lord Jesus was born about 6 BC.

After the Lord Jesus’s glorious birth, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem (see Matthew 2:1). These wise men, also called Magi, were Gentile astrologers from the east. No one knows much about these wise men because the Biblical text does not give much background. The Holy Scriptures do not state where the wise men came from or how many there were. Many biblical scholars believe these Gentile wise men were from Parthia, near the site of ancient Babylon, later known as the Persian Empire. In addition, tradition says that there were three wise men, and they were kings, but we do not know that with certainty. Nonetheless, the Gentile wise men were seeking the newborn King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2; see also Matthew 27:11, 37; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:38; John 1:49; John 18:33-37). Thus, many biblical scholars believe Herod was threatened when the wise men asked about a newborn King of the Jews (see Matthew 2:2).

From the Old Testament, the prophets had repeatedly predicted the living LORD God would rise up a King from David’s family line (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:11-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 30:9, 21; Ezekiel 34:23; Zechariah 9:9; John 7:41-42). King David was one of Israel’s greatest kings who faithfully loved the LORD God, and the Lord Jesus was his descendant (e.g., see 1 Samuel 13:14; 1 Kings 15:3; Matthew 1:1; Matthew 9:27; Acts 13:22-23; Romans 1:3-4). Although David fell into grievous sins with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11:1-27), David repented of his sins, and he never turned his allegiance from wholehearted devotion to the living LORD God (e.g., see 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalms 51). King David enjoyed God's favor because of his love and faithfulness the LORD God (see Acts 7:46). Because of David's love and faithfulness, the living LORD God promised David that He would rise a wise and righteous King from his family line that will shepherd, love, and protect God’s people (see 2 Samuel 7:11-16). Since this prediction, the prophets anticipated the arrival of the Great King from the family line of David (e.g., see Psalm 89:3-4). The New Testament book of Matthew opens with the grand announcement that the long-awaited Great King has finally come in the Person of Jesus (see Matthew 1:1, 17; Luke 1:32-33, 69). The Lord Jesus' earthly parents, Joseph and Mary, were both from the family line of David (e.g., see Matthew 1:16, 20; Luke 1:26-27).

When the Lord Jesus finally arrived to earth in a modest stable, the heavenly skies were filled with singing angels (see Luke 2:9-14). Clearly, something was brewing on planet Earth! Among the dreary villagers in a remote corner of the Roman Empire, something climatically good was bursting out from Bethlehem that would change the whole world. The Lord Jesus' birth literally split history into two parts, and we memorialized this event whenever we write a date, B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (after Christ). Even now, almost 2,000 years later, the celebration of the Lord Jesus' birth still causes great joy (see Luke 2:10-14)! During the Christmas season, we celebrate the remarkable moment when God in human flesh had come to earth as a Babe in the small town of Bethlehem (see Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1,14). 

To announce the arrival of the Great King, the living LORD God, who is the Father of the Lord Jesus, gave a special sign. This special sign was a miraculous star that announced the birth of the Messiah and King, the Lord Jesus (Matthew 2:2; see also Revelation 22:16). The Gentile wise men saw the King’s great and special star in the east at its rising, and they came to worship the true King not only of the Jews but the world (see Matthew 2:2, 9). Amazingly, these Gentile wise men sensed God’s guidance to Bethlehem and followed the great star of the Lord Jesus. Scientific scholars have offered various explanations for the unique star's appearance at the birth of the Lord Jesus such as the joining of planets Mars, Saturn and Jupiter around 7 BC or perhaps the appearance of a comet in 5 BC. However, the Old Testament had predicted a star would appear at the coming of the Great King (see Numbers 24:17). The living LORD God used His heavenly creation to introduce His eternal Son the Lord Jesus to earth. The Lord Jesus’ great star led the Gentile wise men to the small town of Bethlehem located five miles south of Jerusalem.

Keep in mind that these wise men were Gentiles. From the very beginning, the Lord Jesus came to be “the Savior of the world” to save the world from sin through faith in Him (e.g., see Matthew 1:21, 23; John 1:29; John 3:16-17; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14). On the first Christmas night, the heavenly angel announced the Good News and source of joy for all the people (see Luke 2:10, 32). Yes, all people! Regardless of our nationality, race, religion, culture, sexual category, or financial status, the living LORD God sent His only begotten Son to be born in Bethlehem to save and redeem the world from sin through faith in Him  (e.g., see Luke 1:68, Luke 2:11, 21, 30-32; John 4:42; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 4:14-16). The Lord Jesus was not intended for Israel alone but for the whole world and among all nations  (see also Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:9-11)! 

Upon hearing the news of another King, evil Herod was deeply disturbed, as was everyone in Jerusalem (see Matthew 2:3). Therefore, evil Herod called a meeting of the leading chief priests and teachers of religious law and asked them, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born” (see Matthew 2:5, NLT). The leading priests and teachers of religious law informed evil Herod of the Old Testament prophecies from Micah 5:2 that the Messiah and King would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5; see also Numbers 24:19; 2 Samuel 5:2; John 7:42). The prophet Micah from the Old Testament wrote:  “And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a Ruler will come from you who will be the Shepherd for My people Israel” (Matthew 2:6, quoting Micah 5:2, 4).

Afterwards, evil Herod called for a secret meeting with the Gentile wise men, and Herod learned from them the exact time when the Lord Jesus’ star first appeared in the heavens (see Matthew 2:7). Then evil Herod deceptively told the Gentile wise men, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the Child and when you find Him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship Him, too” (see Matthew 2:8, NLT).

After this secret meeting with evil Herod, the Gentile wise men went their way seeking the true and great King of the World (see Matthew 2:9). Finally, the Lord Jesus’ star the wise men had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem and stopped over the exact place where the young Child lived with His earthly parents, Joseph and Mary (see Matthew 2:9). When the Gentile wise men saw the Lord Jesus’ star over His earthly home, they were filled with great joy, happiness, and excitement (see Matthew 2:10)! The Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the true King! By now, Joseph had moved Mary and the Lord Jesus from the temporary stable where the Lord Jesus had been born into a local house in Bethlehem (see Luke 2:7, 16). Thus, the traditional manger and stable scene that assembles the shepherds and wise men are not true to the Holy Scriptures, since the Gentile wise men arrived much later.

Then, the wise men entered Joseph and Mary’s house and saw the young Child, and they bowed down and worshiped Him with great joy (see Matthew 2:11). Truly, these Gentile wise men and many others knew this young Child was the long-awaited Messiah and King of the World! At that moment, the wise men opened their treasure chests and gave the Messiah and King gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh (see Matthew 2:11). The early church fathers understood the gold to be symbolic of the Lord Jesus' kingship, the frankincense of His holiness, and the myrrh of His coming death (since myrrh was used for embalming).

Upon their departure, the living LORD God divinely warned the wise men through a dream not to return to evil Herod but return to their own country by another route (see Matthew 2:12). Moreover, the LORD God sent a heavenly angel to warn Joseph in a dream to take the Lord Jesus and His mother Mary and flee to Egypt (see Matthew 2:13). Sadly, evil Herod had implemented a search for the Child to murder Him (see Matthew 2:13). The wise men and Joseph's divine dreams confirmed the LORD God's power over human rulers and His ability and commitment to His Child, the Lord Jesus. Even more, the whole episode is a good example of how the LORD God leads, guides, and protects His people.

The Lord Jesus along with Joseph and Mary stayed in Egypt until evil Herod’s death (see Matthew 2:15). Jesus' departure to Egypt fulfilled what the living LORD God had spoken through His prophet: “I called My Son out of Egypt” (Matthew 2:15; see also, Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1). Nationally, Israel was the LORD God's "son" (e.g., see Exodus 4:22; Romans 9:4-5). However, the Lord Jesus was the living LORD God's greater "Son" (e.g., see John 1:18; John 3:16).

When evil Herod heard the Lord Jesus along with the wise men had fled, he became furious (see Matthew 2:16). The Magi's news troubled Herod because he knew that the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 3:15). Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military and political deliverer, like Alexander the Great. Evil Herod sent soldiers to kill all young boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the Gentile wise men’s report of the Lord Jesus star’s first appearance (see Matthew 2:16). No wonder evil Herod ordered all the baby boys in Bethlehem murdered (see Matthew 2:13, 16-18). Evil Herod alone wanted to bear the title "King of the Jews" even though he deceptively informed the wise men that he wanted to the Child (see Matthew 2:8). Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what the living God had spoken through His prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah — weeping and great mourning, and Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead” (Matthew 2:17-18, quoting Jeremiah 31:15).   

After evil Herod’s death, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph while in Egypt and instructed Joseph to return the Lord Jesus along with His mother Mary back to Israel (see Matthew 2:19-20). However, when Joseph returned to Israel, he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s evil son Archelaus (see Matthew 2:21-22). Historians have noted that Archelaus was just as cruel, evil, and ruthless as his father, Herod. Once again, the living God divinely warned Joseph in a dream to turn away from Judah and to into Galilee, which is located in northern Israel (see Matthew 2:22). In the region of Galilee, Joseph returned to Nazareth with Mary and the Child Jesus (see Matthew 2:23). Jesus grew up in the small town of Nazareth – the hometown of Joseph and Mary (see Mark 1:9; Mark 6:1; Luke 2:39, 51-52; Luke 4:16, 23; John 1:45-46)). Even more, Joseph's return to Nazareth also fulfilled another Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would be called a "Nazarene" (see Matthew 2:23). The term "Nazarene" was applied both to Jesus and His followers (see Acts 24:5); and the Lord Jesus was often called "Jesus of Nazareth" (e.g., see Matthew 21:11; Matthew 26:71; Mark 14:67; Luke 2:39; John 18:5, 7).

References

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