Birthday celebrations for little ones are always special. A new life brings hope for the future, a fancy cake and lots of friends gathered to celebrate. Jesus’ birthday didn’t consist of those things. He was born at a time when poverty ran rampant. His mother was under the scrutiny of her family, because of her pregnancy. Her betrothed husband was not the father. It was a difficult situation to say the least. In addition, Joseph willingly conceded after being visited by an angel and took Mary as his wife. At this time in history, the governor of Syria had demanded that all households register in a census. Being from the line of David, they traveled to Bethlehem to do so. Mary was about to give birth at any moment. There was no room for them in the little town, so they found a space in an animal barn. She produced her firstborn Son (the Son of God) in that place. She swaddled him in strips of cloth, to keep his little body warm and protected. She placed him in a feeding trough filled with scratchy hay. The only guests at the party were shepherds who had heard about this unusual birth from angels who sang their hosannas, and the bright star that led them to Him.

Instead of birthday candles on a cake, the angels from heaven sang His praises. Instead of many insignificant gifts, there were none. In fact, the little One was the gift himself. His mother held Him close to her heart and remembered what Gabriel, the angel, had told her from the beginning. This child would be the promised Messiah who would save His people. She treasured that thought in her mind, having no idea what lay ahead. The old prophesies containing this Messiah were coming to fruition. The Old Testament prophets referred to His coming, His unusual birth, the one who would come before Him to preach repentance. There were promises that He would save the world, which was misinterpreted by those who were looking for an earthly King. There are so many prophesies that were being fulfilled in that lowly birth. I wonder if the people realized it at that time.

We know that He lived a humble life. He was perfect in every way, yet He experienced all the emotional highs and lows that we do. He became a carpenter alongside His stepfather. He played games with other children. He was totally human, yet He was also God. He suffered, was pinned to a cross and died. On the third day He returned to life and promised the same for those who would follow His Word.

As we sing our Christmas carols this season, let’s not forget that Jesus will return again. The prophesies in the New Testament book of Revelation are proof of that. Will we recognize Him? Will we be worthy of His return? When we place our faith in the words inspired by God in the Bible and follow the teachings of Jesus, we will recognize Him. We are worthy because of what He accomplished for us.