The True Story of Christmas

The true story of Christmas is a beloved narrative that has inspired hope and joy for many generations, celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Even In today’s topsy-turvy world, the Christmas story remains one of the most beloved accounts in the Bible. It is beautifully woven through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

In Luke’s Gospel, we learn that God sent the angel Gabriel to a young woman named Mary, who was living in the small town of Nazareth. Gabriel greeted Mary with profound words: “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28, NLT). Though startled and unsure, Mary listened as Gabriel revealed God’s extraordinary plan. She would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a son—Jesus—who would be called the Son of the Most High and whose reign would never end. With humility and faith, Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38, NLT).

Matthew’s Gospel tells us about Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, who faced his own trial of faith. Learning of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph, a righteous man, sought to handle the situation quietly to avoid shaming her. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20, NLT). Trusting God, Joseph obeyed, taking Mary as his wife and stepping into the divine plan.

As the time for Jesus’ birth drew near, a decree from Caesar Augustus required everyone to return to their ancestral towns for a census. For Joseph, this meant traveling to Bethlehem, the City of David, because he was of David’s lineage. When they arrived, there was no room for them at the inn, and so Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in a humble stable. Wrapping Him in swaddling clothes, she laid Him in a manger.

Out in the fields nearby, shepherds watched over their flocks when an angel of the Lord appeared to them with a message of hope: “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11, NLT). A heavenly host then filled the sky, praising God and proclaiming, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14, NLT). The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem, where they found the child and shared the incredible news with everyone they met.

Matthew’s Gospel also tells us of the Magi, wise men from the East, who followed a brilliant star that led them to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem. Seeking the newborn King of the Jews, they came to worship Him, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their journey reminds us of the far-reaching impact of Jesus’ birth and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

The story of Christmas is not just a tale of a miraculous birth—it is a testament to God’s love and His desire to dwell among us. Born in the humblest of circumstances, Jesus entered the world to bring hope, peace, and salvation. This beautiful story, rich with faith, joy, and prophetic fulfillment, continues to inspire us to this day. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the true meaning behind the season: the gift of God’s Son, Emmanuel, “God with us.”

Until my next post…

Merry Christmas!

Rainer Bantau—The Devotional Guy™