Daily Journal: 24 December

Who is the Christ

in Christmas?

An Historical and Future Exploration

Jesus Christ is an historical figure, recognised not only in the bible, but verified in secular historical accounts.

More and more of the bible is being verified archaeologically and historically.

So who is the Christ in Christmas? And what else does the bible say about Him and our future?

Jesus Christ was born into a world that had broken down politically, socially, and economically. The rise of Octavean Caesar, who had called for a census, unknowingly ensured Jesus was born in Bethlehem as was prophesied. He was, by that time, bringing stability with a price. He brought a change of governance in Rome and the Roman Empire. When Octavean organised for himself to be titled Caesar Augustus, he made himself exalted and sacred after the title’s meaning.

That part of the world had been so ransacked economically and politically that it had also brought social disorder and demoralisation. Into this world, Caesar Augustus declared himself to be a political saviour. He turned the governance of Rome from a republic, where no one man was above the law, to an empire, ruled by one man. Himself.

And then came Jesus.

Luke 2:1-7 (NLT)

¹At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Jesus was born in a stable, even a cave as historical accounts have noted. Wrapped in torn strips of cloth and laid in a food trough where animals ate. Shepherds outside of Bethlehem were thought to be shepherds of the temple flocks, bringing up the lambs that would be sacrificed there. They were the first to see the Lamb of God, laid in the trough, the first to proclaim Him, and Jesus came as the good Shepherd to save mankind.

Matthew 1:21 (ERV)

She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 2:8-13 (NLT)

⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God

Joseph, chosen as Jesus’ earthly father to protect and usher Him through a brutal, war-torn world where armies had invaded, territory had been rampaged, and power was assaulting. He understood the change towards a new world order that Caesar Augustus brought. And yet, it was Joseph’s child, conceived of the Holy Spirit, who came as Saviour to this world; who would change history forever.

Today, we see similar parallels in our nations across the globe. War, power, corruption and conspiracies in world governance, economic instability, breakdown and bankruptcy, social upheaval and breakdown, moral bankruptcy, brutality among citizens; and in the background, moves toward a new world order.

There will be proclaimed a saviour to the world again, but it won’t be the Christ. It will be the anti-Christ. Another political figure. Yet, into this mix, Jesus Christ will first come to take His faithful away. Then, for a time, greater anarchy will reign. A remnant who recognise, almost too late, will remain. Jesus Christ will return with His faithful and all the angels. Evil will be destroyed for good and Jesus Christ will at last set up His throne. His reign will last forever, in righteousness and justice.

Today, those who are seekers eagerly look to understand the history and future of what Christmas means. Not tinsel and mistletoe, but who is the Christ in Christmas?

Hebrews 9:28 (ESV)

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

John 14:1-3 (TLB)

“Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly.

Resource for this journal entry: https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/luke/luke-2.cfm

Further bible reading: Luke 17:24-25; Luke 21:25-27; Luke 21:28; Luke 21:34-36; Matthew 24:29-30; Matthew 24:37-39; Matthew 24:41-42; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; John 5:28-29; 2 Peter 3:10; Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 3:3, 20; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12; John 6:39-40; Matthew 24:42