2000 years ago a baby boy was born in a small place called Bethlehem in Judea. No one ever thought that this little boy could change the world history. But it has happened and we now have the historical years divided into BC and AD. What is so miraculous about this baby's birth? Why is Christmas very important to mankind? A little history will help us answer the Whys, Whats and Hows...
There were many oracles and prophecies about the birth of a saviour who will deliver the children of God from all evil. The prominent one was from Isaiah. Isaiah was a citizen of Jerusalem in the eighth century B.C.E. His most famous pronouncement is the Immanuel oracle that assured God's continued protection of the house of David, king of Israel. Yes, the birth of this boy was prophesied 100 of years before his birth and it also said that a virgin would give birth to a baby. This is recorded in The Holy Bible in the book of Isaiah. The verse goes like this “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”- Isaiah 7: 14,15. God planned to send this child to save the mankind and he was to be called ‘Immanuel’. Immanuel means 'God with us'. Yes the child came into the world and became one among us to be with us. He did not come as a king but in a poor family so that he could mingle with the poorest of the poor and live like one among them. Isn't all these a miracle? How wonderful it is to have God living amidst us as a comforter. 
Not only a virgin was to give birth to the boy, God also planned about his earthly parents, his tribe, place and time of his birth and also the people who will praise him with gifts. Bible verse says, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” - Numbers 24:17. Thus he was to be born in the family of Jacob also called as Israel. It’s also said that “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,” - Genesis 49:10. Thus it was said that he would be born in the tribe of Judah. “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” - Isaiah 11:1. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus was the descendant of Jesse, Father of King David. Prophet Micah who lived between 756-697 B.C prophesied about the birth place of Jesus as “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” - as Micah 5:2. King Solomon, son of King David who lived during 970-928 BCE wrote in his Psalms as follows, “The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.” - Psalm 72:10. As it was written, three wise men from eastern countries came to worship Jesus following the star. The Wise Men were representatives of the Persian priestly clan, the Magi. These Wise Men were true scientists who studied Astronomy and believed and honored Hebrew Scriptures. When they saw a star, they related it to the Biblical teaching that God would use the stars as “signs” and seasons (Genesis 1:14) and the Messianic prophecy that a “star” would come out of the tribe of Judah which is said in Numbers 24:17. Isn’t it a miracle that three men followed a star to locate the baby boy Jesus? Isn’t it a miracle that this star revealed the three men about the birth of a king? The wise men were learned people but who’ll inform the less educated men? That happened through the angels. This is recorded in Luke 2:8-16 in the Bible. Angels announced the birth of baby Jesus to the shepherds who were watching over their flocks in the night. The shepherds were told that the savior is born in Bethlehem. They immediately hurried to Bethlehem and worshipped Jesus and praised God. How thoughtful it is to let all men, rich and poor know that a savior is born irrespective of their status in the community? God thought about each and every one when he sent Jesus to this earth. Jesus came into this world as a king of Love, humility, righteousness and peace. Thus said by prophet Isaiah, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” - Isaiah 9:6-7. Jesus, Son of God came down to earth on this beautiful day called Christmas because of the Love he had for mankind, to spread that Love into this world so that we may have an everlasting life eternal. Let us spread this love all over and be humble to make this world a wonderful and gifted place for every fellow human being. Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
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