All over the world, people are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in the month of December. Although some Orthodox churches celebrate in the month of January. The Babe in Bethlehem is God’s “yes” to His promises, prophecies and plans given in the Old Testament (2nd Corinthians 1:19-20). Through the prophets, patriarchs and several writers of the different books of the Old Testament, God’s spirit inspired and gave more than 300 promises and prophesies about His Son Jesus Christ. When He was born as the Son of the Virgin Mary in the City of David, the mother and His stepfather Joseph already knew that the child was a supernatural one.

Angels came down to give the good news about the birth of the Messiah to shepherds of the Judean fields and praised Him in the highest. Wise men from far away Eastern countries were led by the sight of an unusual star which was the sign and significance of the birth of a great King. They came to Bethlehem to worship and give appropriate gifts to honor a King (gold), a Priest (frankincense) and a suffering Redeemer (myrrh).

The annunciation of Christ’s birth was announced to the Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel, and Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, was told in a dream by an angel about the miraculous and supernatural conception of the Baby. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and praised and saluted Mary as the mother of the Lord. When Baby Jesus was presented to the temple of Jerusalem, Simon, who was waiting to see the Savior of the people, was also filled with the Holy Spirit and praised the Child. He made a prophesy about the sufferings of Christ the Redeemer. A prophetess, Anna, in the temple also recognized the Babe as the Savior of the people of Israel.

During this Christmas season, we sing devotional songs, age-old melodious carol songs. Depending on where we are in our different denominations, we all celebrate the birth of Christ in different paths of traditions, rituals and church services. Of course buying and distributing gifts are an integral part of these great celebrations. In the midst of these great festivities, let us all be thankful to God for sending His Son to this world to redeem all of us unconditionally from our sins. God is always love, whether we accept it or not, and this Babe in Bethlehem is our Heavenly Father’s love and gift for every human being!

May the Holy Spirit help us to realize and recognize this simple truth given in John 3:16. Amen.