These are the five things I learned about the Hope and Grace of Christmas from reading the Bible.

The Hope and Grace of Christmas

We can learn a lot just by reading the Bible. The story of the birth of Jesus is one of hope, grace, and a restored relationship with our Father God, and it is in the Bible for everyone to read. We don’t have to be scholars or experts to learn from the bible-but we do have to read it. Here are five things about Christmas you may want to know.

One, this is accurate history. ​1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2  in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. Luke 3:1-2

This is a list of Roman rulers and their titles. At that time a ruler of a part of the Roman Empire could have any number of different titles depending on how the area was ruled. Rather than write this all myself, here is a post by well-known Christian Apologist Wes Huff describing this history: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_QasorO4Ch/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Two, Luke quotes the prophet Isaiah to tell us that Jesus is God. “A voice is calling,  “Clear the way for the Lord (literally, Yahweh) in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God””. Isaiah 40:3

Luke is telling us that Jesus is God. How? The quote from Isaiah says “…Clear the way for Yahweh…”. This is The Name of God revealed to the Jews in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:13-14). This is not another prophet being born, or a great philosopher. It is God Himself coming to live with us. This gives us an enduring, eternal hope

Three, this is not only revealed to the leaders of the people, but to us regular folk as well.  “8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.” Luke 2:8-9

These were shepherds, one of the lowest class of people at that time. God could have sent these angels to the highest strata of society, but He did not. He wanted all people to hear His message of hope and redemption, so He started at the bottom of the heap. That is a comfort to all of us.

Four, “A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:32

Not only was the Messiah being sent for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well (Isaiah 49:6). The whole world of people alive then, and since then, will be reached with the presence of Jesus. This was not in agreement with what the leaders wanted at the time, but it is what God is doing. This is His plan, not the plan of any person.

Five, Joseph and Mary were observant Jews. 39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40   The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:39-40

Jesus' earthly parents followed the rules of their people because of their faith. They were not disobedient to God and followed the laws given to the people by God through Moses. Therefore, they were able to raise their son in a godly fashion.

When we think about this we can see that Jesus truly came to restore our relationship with God,  which we destroyed by walking away from God.  This is the story of the Garden of Eden and our fall.  (It was the fall of all who descended from Adam and Eve, the first people).  But the story continues with the gospel and the Hope and Grace of Christmas.  What we lost by sin is restored by grace.  And that is good news!