The First Christmas in Bethlehem was a celebration of the birth of a child born in a Manger. The event had no pomp and glamour. It was a very lowly celebration. The parents of the child might have been shocked that God didn't make room for the Saviour of the world to be born in a house. In fact, all their efforts to find a place to stay failed. Finally, they had no choice but to accept the offer of a Manger. This event, popularly known as the nativity, has become an inevitable part of the Christmas celebration for mostly Christian homes. The miniature Manger with all the animals and Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds are a depiction of the real incident that happened. Mary and Joseph had received specific messages about their son but at this point in their lives they saw the Son of God born helplessly in a Manger, covered with swaddling clothes and placed in the feeding trough for the animals.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
The lowliness of the birth of Jesus and the prophetic words concerning His life and ministry seem to depict parallel worlds. Isaiah 9:6, states this: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Thus at the birth of Jesus, He was already a Ruler with governmental powers. Yet, His birth place was the lowest of the lowliest. In fact, the shepherds who were informed by the Angels were not rich people. These were also the lower class people who were out on the field trying to make ends meet. Yet, Jesus was a Ruler with His governmental powers on His shoulders. A helpless baby in a Manger and yet He was a Ruler with the power to save mankind from the clutches of sin and death.
As we go about shopping and preparing for Christmas, we need to know that at the first Christmas in Bethlehem, God gave humanity the greatest gift ever: a Ruler to Shepherd His people. This Ruler's names include Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). These names represent His power and dominion. He was a man and yet God. His kingdom is Everlasting and He brings peace to a broken and wounded world. As Isaiah gave these prophetic words, the Jewish people looked forward to a king, a Messiah, a Ruler who will wield so much power and save them from their enemies. No wonder till date, many Jews fail to see Jesus as the Saviour they had long waited for.
Who is Jesus to you? Is He the baby in the Manger? The son of Mary and Joseph? One of the Prophets? A Ruler with governmental powers? Who you see Him influences your relationship with Him. As you prepare for Christmas, reflect on your relationship with Him. Yes, He was born in a Manger but He is a Ruler, the Saviour of the world. He has opened His arms to receive as many as call upon His name.
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