Away in a manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. About two-thousand years ago in a little town called Bethlehem, Jesus was born of a virgin named Mary. With her husband Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, they saw in a little bundle the most precious gift ever given. They saw Him, but at the same time, they could have never fathomed who He really was.

The prophet Isaiah called the coming one, Immanuel, or "God with Us, " Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jeremiah said a time was coming when God would make a NEW COVENANT with men. Ezekiel said the name of the holy city would one day be Jehovah-shammah, or the Lord is There. Daniel saw the Ancient of Days in a vision with authority, glory and sovereign power where all peoples, nations and men of every language would worship Him.

Zechariah said Jerusalem would one day be called The Holy Mountain, as that's where He would reign. The prophets would have probably given anything to have been there in that little stable to see the One of whom they could only prophecy and dream. This little baby would truly turn the hearts of men toward God. (Isa 7:14,9:6, Jer 31:31; Ez 48:35; Dan 7:13-14; Zec 8:3)

Many people confuse the 25th of December as the birthday of the babe in a manger but it's not. Actually this day was set aside for a pagan festival long before Christ's name was associated with it. It was 300 AD before men started using the date to celebrate Christ being born and it's believed He was probably born in April or in late Summer rather than December. (Sorry to burst your snow-white Christmas bubble!)

Brumalia is a pagan festival held at the winter solstice from which some features of the celebration of Christmas seem to have been derived. The word bruma meant simply "shortest day," and referred to the Winter Solstice. Brumalia was generally held on December 25th, even though that was not technically the actual solstice. Brumalia was immediately preceded by the festival of Saturnalia. (1)

It's not nearly as important to respect Christmas as being Jesus' birthday as it is to recognize Him for who He is. The Jews should know Him as Messiah but all men can know Him as Savior. I pray you know him that way, for if you don't the other names don't matter. In that case, He will be a stranger to you until on your knees before Him You call the name that is above every other Name. His name is not only Lord, but that's what He is regardless of what you call Him.

1. http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/general/bldef_brumalia.htm; also, http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/CGG/ID/785
2 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Ze. 8:1-23 Rv. 16:1-21 Ps. 144:1-15 Pr. 30:29-31 )
3. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2004 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved