Just the other day, I heard someone on radio say that Christmas is all about joy and gladness, etc. While it did not surprise me because I come across this thinking more often, it is still very discomforting.

Although joy and gladness should be a result of the Christmas message – as it was to the shepherds – it must be remembered that there cannot be any joy and gladness without a Savior. The “son” that Mary brought forth was and is the Son of God.

Any Christmas without Christ is not a true Christmas. The world is content to have a holiday without thinking about the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself to die for us. He had to die if we were to be redeemed because God declared that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

There were many miracles that took place around the time of Christ’s birth to reveal that He was truly the promised Child of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” One of those miracles is His Name. No religious Jew would ever refer to a human by a name that belonged to God alone. The name means “God with us.”

Yes, indeed. God did come to live among us for about 33 years and then redeemed us by His death, burial, and resurrection. Praise His Name! Now, those that know Him can know what true joy and gladness are as we remember and fellowship with Him! The fellowship is even sweeter when we can rejoice with other believers in church today!

One of the primary teachings of Biblical Christianity is the virgin birth of Christ. In fact, the validity of the entire Bible stands or falls on this one doctrine. If it did not occur as stated in the Bible – then Christianity is false and there is no Savior.

Christmas is celebrated among Christians so strongly because the virgin birth of Christ means that there is both a Savior and salvation. It means that God has intervened in our plight as condemned and estranged sinners and found a way of redemption.

The virgin birth is absolutely necessary because of two things. First, because every human is born a sinner. Second, because every sinner – every human – falls under the curse: “for the wages of sin is death” (Romans. 6:23).

Since every human is condemned because of sin, then there is no human born of men that is without sin. If Jesus were born of natural conception, he could not save anyone because he would have his own sin to pay for. Then, redeeming someone else would be impossible.

Mary testified to the angel: “I know not a man” (vs. 34). If this were not true – it would be most foolish to lie to an angel of God. The angel does not debate the issue with her – verifying her statement. He then proceeds to explain how it will happen. He says: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Basically, he said – God will do it.

The virgin birth also fulfills a promise made to Isaiah hundreds of years earlier. In Isaiah 7:14, it says: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Since Jesus is the Promised One – the Savior of the world – all must believe on Him for forgiveness of sin. Have you believed on Him to be your only Savior?

Joseph was an honorable man and loved the Lord. When Mary told him that she was pregnant, it shocked him and did not settle well with him. He began thinking about getting a divorce. Even though they were not actually married – only engaged – in Jewish culture of the day you could only break off an engagement with a divorce.

Joseph knew that divorcing her might save his reputation, but Mary would probably be stoned. In fact, they both could have been legally stoned because of it.

In order to save the day, an angel was sent to Joseph to prevent a divorce – and worse. The angel explained the situation and how she became pregnant to Joseph. He also declared Who the Child was and why he needed to proceed with the marriage.

The angel, his name is not mentioned, said that Mary’s situation is in fulfillment of a prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). The angel then quotes the specific verse and revealed that her Child is God in human form: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

In addition to His being God in the flesh, the angel also mentions what this Child will later do as an adult: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Note that His main purpose for coming was not to be a Good Teacher – although He was; or just to do good works – although He did; or to start a new organization (the church) – which He did. His primary purpose for coming was to die for the sins of the world. He is foremost a Savior!

The Bible indicates that, since Joseph was already awake, that he immediately took Mary as his wife. The Bible also mentions that the couple did not have normal marital relations until after Christ was born. Later on, the couple would have several other children together, according to Matthew 6:3.

Christ’s goal in coming was to save the world from their sins. He could only do this by dying on the cross to pay the price that everyone owes to God – because we all have sinned! Do you know Him yet as your personal Savior? Isn’t it time – before it is too late?