Christmas Around the World
Unto Us A Child Is Born - Why We Celebrate Christmas
If you were to ask any random person why we celebrate Christmas, you would receive varying responses. Over the years, Christmas and its significance have been commercialized by those who wish to merchandise folklore and traditions, making the holiday more secular and fun. This removes its true meaning of commemorating the incarnation of Jesus Christ to the world. Centuries before his birth, specific prophecies about the coming Messiah were shared by two prophets serving the kings of the southern kingdom of Judah. The prophet Micah of the small town of Moresheth outside of Jerusalem, spoke of the place where the Messiah would be born and announced that the remnant of Jacob (that is, Israel) would triumph over its oppressors. In the Gospel of Matthew, King Herod was being given an account for the reason of their visit from a group of sojourning Magi from the East concerning a prophecy and the appearance of a star over the land of Judah. They explained, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel’” (Matthew 2:5-6). Micah’s contemporary at the time was the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, who, according to Jewish tradition, was the brother of King Amaziah of Judah. Isaiah also gave corroborating prophecies concerning the Messiah and his connection to King David. Isaiah 9:6 opens with a familiar verse, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,” to indicate his governing rule and kingship. The apostle whose gospel message was written for the Jews to understand echoed the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 about the sign of the Messiah sent by God. In Matthew 1:23, the apostle quotes Isaiah: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). And speaking of “God with us,” the Father promised His abiding presence during the time of the Exodus. In Leviticus 26:11-12, He says, “I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.” And God has kept His promise for all who are in Christ Jesus. Revelation 21:3 reveals this faithful declaration from Heaven. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’” We celebrate Christmas because of Christ Jesus, who is Immanuel, God with us, the Savior of the world!
Christmas Around the World - written by Daphne Collins
the Lighthouse Keeper for
Carry the Light Ministries
Scriptures Used in This Module
Opening Prayer - Prophecy
Micah 5:2
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6-7
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Luke 1:32-33
Luke 2:1-14
Hannukah
Isaiah 60:1-2
Matthew 5:15-16
1 John 1:7
Acts 13:47
John 8:12
Psalm 119:105
Religious Observances
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Colossians 3:16-17
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
1 Corinthians 10:31
Exodus 20:8-11
Revelation 14:7
Traditions
1 Corinthians 11:2
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Isaiah 41:10
1 Corinthians 11:27-28
1 Timothy 4:13-14
Colossians 2:8
Markets
Psalm 133:1
Psalm 118:24
Numbers 28:26
Exodus 23:16
Revelation 7:9
Colossians 2:2
Food
Ecclesiastes 9:7
1 Corinthians 10:31
Nehemiah 8:10
Deuteronomy 12:7
Acts 2:46-47
Ecclesiastes 5:18
Gift Giving
James 1:7
2 Corinthians 9:8-9
Malachi 3:10
Luke 11:13
Philippians 4:19
Matthew 2:10-11
Around the World
Psalm 108:3-4
Ezekiel 38:23
Matthew 28:19-20
Isaiah 12:4
1 Timothy 3:16
Hebrews 1:3
Closing Prayer
