Why the Nativity? Reflections on the First Christmas, Part 1

Welcome to Why the Nativity?

Reflections on the First Christmas: the city of Bethlehem, the Virgin Mary, and the Christ-child

One factor is for sure about Christmas: It isn’t surprising! We have fun this wonderful occasion each 12 months. Our calendar is predicated on this occasion. We all know it’s come, we plan for it, and we like it–yr after yr with out fail. Each baby on this planet loves Christmas.

That stated, there are surprising dimensions to Christmas. On this course we’ll discover the traditional prophecies and significance of:

• The city of Bethlehem
• The Virgin Mary
• The Christ-child

The main focus of this course is to reply, as finest as we biblically can  questions in regards to the surprising manner the primary Christmas occurred.  However earlier than we start, let me supply one clue proper right here: the deeper we go in understanding the surprising nature of the primary Christmas, the extra we’ll uncover in regards to the surprising nature of God’s love for us.

On this course we’ll mirror on the traditional prophecies and significance of the city of Bethlehem, the Virgin Mary, and the Christ-Youngster on the Nativity.

Jesus got here in order that we could possibly be reconciled to God. He got here to avoid wasting “whosoever will.” He got here for the world. Essentially the most surprising factor about Christmas–but completely comprehensible ultimately–is that we will be saved by grace, by way of religion, not on account of our personal efforts. Grace, religion, salvation–they’re all of the present of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). How is that for an surprising first-Christmas present!