We can also consider Luke 2:13 - 14. 'Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” This shows the heavenly celebration of Jesus' birth. It gives the Christmas story a sense of divine joy and approval. It also hints at the peace that Jesus would bring, which is a central theme of Christmas. We can understand from this that his birth was a cause for celebration not just on earth but also in heaven.
By looking at Matthew 2:1 - 2, 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” We can see that even from far away, there were those who recognized the significance of Jesus' birth. This part of the story shows that Jesus' birth was a momentous event that was noticed even by those outside of the Jewish community. It adds to the idea that his birth was for all people, not just the Jews, which is a key element of the Christmas story.
Well, we can start with Luke 2:7 which says 'And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.' This shows the humble beginning of Jesus. It tells us that Jesus was born in a simple and lowly place, which is an important aspect of the Christmas story as it emphasizes his connection to the common people. Through this verse, we can understand that his birth was not in a grand palace but among the ordinary folk.
Well, take the verse Matthew 2:1 - 2 for example. 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” This shows that from the very start, Jesus was recognized as something special. His birth was so significant that even people from far away were drawn to him. Reading these different bible verses together gives us a more complete picture of the Christmas story. We see the events leading up to his birth, the actual birth, and the reactions of those around. It's like pieces of a puzzle that fit together to form the story of the most important birth in Christian belief.
One way is to read them in different translations. For example, compare the King James Version with a more modern translation like the New International Version. Different translations can sometimes clarify the meaning of difficult words or phrases in the verses.
Matthew 2:1 - 2. 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” This shows that from the very beginning, Jesus' birth was recognized as something extraordinary. People from far away came to seek him, highlighting the significance of his birth, which is central to the Christmas story.
One important verse is Luke 2:10 - 11. 'But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." This verse clearly announces the birth of Jesus which is the core of the Christmas story.
During Christmas services at church, these verses are often read and preached about. For instance, the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:8 - 20 can be used to teach about how the news of Jesus' birth was first spread to the humble and simple people. This helps to bring out the inclusive nature of the Christmas story and how it is for everyone, not just the wealthy or powerful. We can also use these stories at home during family devotions to remind family members of the true meaning of Christmas.
One way is to look in the Gospels. As I mentioned before, Luke 2 and Matthew 1 - 2 are the main places. You can use the table of contents in your Bible to quickly navigate to these books and then find the relevant chapters and verses.
Matthew 2:1 - 2 is another relevant verse. 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” This verse can introduce the idea that from far away, wise men knew of Jesus' birth and came to worship him. It can be a starting point to talk about how Jesus was special and recognized as a king from the very beginning.
Luke 2:7 - 'And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.' This simple yet powerful verse gives us a vivid picture of the humble birth of Jesus, which is a central part of the Christmas story.
In Luke 2:7, 'And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.' This simple yet powerful verse describes the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth. It shows that Jesus was born into a normal, perhaps even difficult situation. His birth in a manger is a symbol of his humility and his coming to the common people. The Christmas story often focuses on this aspect of Jesus' birth, emphasizing that he came not as a powerful king in a grand palace, but as a baby in a simple manger, accessible to all.
One important verse is Luke 2:10 - 11 which says, 'But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'