By
Yohan Heenatigala
Toronto, Canada

In a recently released book by the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI says, that Jesus Christ was born earlier than commonly believed. December 25th is now considered as an erroneous date in regards the date of birth of the Jesus Christ.

It is recorded in history that it was the Catholic Church that declared December 25th as the birthday of the Jesus Christ in 336AD. This was done to replace a pagan Roman holiday that celebrated the “sun god” with the birthday of the “Son of God.”

Most Christian scholars have believed for a long time that Jesus Christ was born between 6 BC and 4 BC. They are convinced (based on biblical deductions) that he was conceived around Hanukkah, also known as the “Festival of Lights” in early December, and was born during Sukkot, known as the “Feast of Booths,” which falls during late September to late October.

A matter of utmost importance is that Sukkot is an extremely joyous event that it is referred to as “the Season of our Rejoicing” in Jewish prayer and literature. It is obviously the season of rejoicing for the Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD.

* * * *
How important is the question “when was Jesus Christ born?” compared to the question “why was Jesus Christ born?” In other words, what is more important? When Christmas? or why Christmas?

The discussions and arguments over “when was Jesus Christ born?” has gone on for over a hundred years., without consensus. Most probably, it will go on till the “second coming” of Jesus Christ!

Unfortunately, in the discussions and the arguments, one important fact receives less prominence. The fact is that Jesus Christ was born to this earth. Hence instead of wasting intellectual energy on “when,” it would serve mankind good to explore the question “why?”

* * * *
In attempting to answer the question, “why was Jesus Christ born to this earth?” one cannot circumvent the query “who is Jesus Christ?” Instead of searching writings of man we will examine four examples from the writings of God, which is known as the Holy Scripture (the Bible) to find the answer.

(1) When Jesus asked Peter the disciple, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15, 16)

(2) When some of the followers left him, Jesus asked his disciples, “Do you also want to go away?” their response was, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:67-69)

(3) The high priest asked Jesus “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” The response of Jesus was “It is as you said.” (Matthew 26:63, 64)

(4) On another occasion, Jesus declared, “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30)
So the simple answer to the question, “who is Jesus Christ?” based on the Bible would be, “He is God, who came to this earth as a human being for a purpose.”

His appearance as a human being fulfilled many prophecies voiced by the prophets in the Old Testament. We will look at three of them.

i. Virgin birth – Bible prophecy: Isaiah 7:14 – Between 701-681 BC
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.

ii. Place of birth – Bible prophecy: Micah 5:2 – Between 750-686 BC
But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, 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.

iii. Miracle Worker – Bible prophecy: Isaiah 35:4-6 – Between 701-681 BC
Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
* * * *
Now let us come to the crux of the matter. What is the “true meaning” of Christmas? To understand the purpose of God coming as man to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ can only be examined through the Holy Scripture (the Bible). Let us look at three scripture verses towards a simple understanding.

(A) John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

This verse simply means that (a) God loved the whole human race, which is considered as his children, (b) He became a human being, (c) To rescue them from eternal damnation and (d) To give them eternal life.

(B) 1 John 5:11 – And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
God is the giver of eternal life and He has done so through His Son Jesus Christ.

(C) Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Man was created to live eternally. The fall of man was when he chose to disobey God, which in turn caused the birth of sin that brought eternal death. God’s plan to redeem His children from eternal death was for Him to send His Son (God coming to the earth as a human being). This is the GIFT OF GOD.
* * * *
Imagine the number of gifts exchanged human hands during the past hundreds of Christmases. Probably billions. They all have perished or will perish. But the gift of God to all His children will remain eternally.

My wish for you this Christmas is may you receive the gift of eternal life.