The Surprising History of Christmas: Is It Biblically Mandated?

Christmas, a holiday celebrated by many around the world, may not have a clear biblical basis for its observance. In fact, the Puritans, a religious group known for their strict adherence to the Bible, refused to celebrate Christmas. However, despite its lack of biblical mandate, the church has embraced Christmas as a time to remember and teach about the birth of Jesus.

Micah 5:2 is a verse from the Old Testament of the Bible that is often cited in relation to Christmas. The verse reads: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

This verse is seen as a prophecy about the birthplace of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem and later became the central figure of Christianity. As such, it is sometimes referenced during the Christmas season as a reminder of the fulfillment of this prophecy and the significance of Jesus’ birth.

The significance of Bethlehem

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, this verse was written by Micah. It promised the one who would fulfill God’s purposes. This is the story of the wise men appearing from the East after seeing a star that was a sign of the birth of a Jewish king in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem holds a special place in the hearts of many Jews as it is mentioned in Genesis as the birthplace of Benjamin, one of their ancestors. In the book of Ruth, we see that it was also the place where Ruth married Boaz and had a son named Obed, who was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. As a Jew, Bethlehem holds great significance for me as it is a royal city known as the city of David.

The name Bethlehem itself carries a lot of meaning, with “Beth” meaning “house” or “dwelling” and “lethem” meaning “bread.” It is fitting, then, that this “house of bread” is also the birthplace of Jesus, who is referred to as the Bread of Life. The name Ephrath, which means “abundance” and “fruitfulness,” adds to the significance of Bethlehem as a place of abundance and nourishment.

Though Micah describes Bethlehem as a small town, it holds a central and significant place in God’s plans. It was in this town that Jesus was born, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah. Interestingly, it was a decree by Caesar Augustus requiring people to return to their city of origin that led Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. While it may have seemed like a simple administrative decision at the time, it was actually part of God’s plan to fulfill Micah’s prophecy.

The Trinity of Christmas

The trinity is an integral part of the story of Jesus’ birth and salvation. Micah makes it clear that Jesus’ role as the Messiah was ordained by God and he was given the mandate to rule. Our salvation is a joint effort between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with each member of the trinity playing an important role. The Bible, which was inspired by God, is precise and every word and punctuation holds great meaning. In the Hebrew language, the verse mentions that Jesus both comes forth and is going forth, revealing much about his identity as the Messiah.

The Messiah, who was born of a woman but not of a man, came forth from Mary but also from God Himself. He is eternal, having always been present as the Son of God, and has made appearances throughout human history. The prophet Micah teaches us that the Messiah is eternal and an everlasting light from eternity. He came to be the ruler of all, bringing salvation to those who believe in him. The true Israel, a group of people chosen by God and forgiven of their sins, are protected for eternity under Jesus’ rulership.

The phrase “from of old” means that Jesus has a long history and has made appearances throughout human history. For example, who was it that walked with Adam in the cool of the evening? Who did Joshua meet when he fell down before him, on holy ground, before conquering Jericho? Who did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego see in the fiery furnace? Jesus has appeared throughout human history and is eternal, having always been present as the Son of God.

Why did Jesus come to earth?

In conclusion, Jesus came to earth to fulfill his role as the ruler of Israel, both the earthly nation and the true Israel, which is made up of all those who are chosen by God and have their sins forgiven. The spirit of Christmas, which celebrates the abundance of provision that Jesus brings to God’s people, can be found throughout the Old Testament and the gospels. As we celebrate Christmas, it is important to remember the place of Jesus’ birth, the person of Jesus himself, and the purpose of his coming to earth. We can give thanks to God for his unspeakable gift of salvation through Jesus.