The Arrival of the Prince of Peace and the Meaning of Christmas: Bible Stories for the Holiday Season
Christmas is a time of celebration. It is not to celebrate days off from work or buy fun gifts for the family—although that is inevitably part of most people’s experience. As Christians, however, we engage with a more profound conversation during the Christmas season, one that bursts with meaning and the joyful good news of the arrival of the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. Most of us know the stories from our childhood or see the nativity scenes as decorations, but the Bible stories that inspire them are worth revisiting, not only for their literary beauty, their symbolism but also for the story they tell about the Son of God sent to carry a heavy burden.
Let’s take a look at some of these wonderful stories.
The Birth of Jesus is Foretold
According to The Bible, God sent his messenger, the Angel Gabriel to give Mary a special message. She was to marry Joseph. Before that, the Angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth to talk to Mary. He came to her and said, “Greetings, o favoured one the Lord is with you.”
The text suggests that Mary was taken aback a little and was not sure how to receive this very odd greeting, but the Angel continued, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” God had chosen this virgin to carry his son into the world. For the Christian faith, Mary holds a special place and in the Catholic faith is highly heralded as the Mother of God.
The Angel Gabriel explained to Mary. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you should call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David…” (Luke 31-32)
Mary—likely a teenager of the time — was a little confused. She asked the Angel how this could be possible because she was a virgin. The Angel replied that the “Holy Spirit will come about you…”
In the Christian faith, Mary’s acceptance of this with complete faith and trust is another essential element of the story. Mary says that she is the Lord’s servant and accepts what the Angel is telling her without doubt or fear.
And this is how Jesus came into the world, but it wasn’t easy and his birth was not without obstacles and danger for Mary and Joseph.
The Birth of Jesus Christ — the Nativity Scene
Another emblematic scene during Christmas is the beloved nativity scene. Representations of this scene vary wildly and people get quite creative with their depiction. However, most of these scenes will contain the same crucial components, which we all recognize. There will be the parents crouching over the baby and the farm animals surrounding the very humble conditions in which the Son of God entered the world.
When Joseph found out his wife was with child, he almost divorced her, but the Angel Gabriel paid him a visit as well and explained that Mary had been touched by the Holy Spirit. Being a man of God, Joseph accepted to take care of Mary and take her as his wife without complaint. Joseph and Mary had to travel because Caesar Augustus put out a decree that every person should be registered. So Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to register and during their travels, Mary was due to give birth. They had to make due in a manger because there was no place for them anywhere else. The manger is usually represented as a humble shelter surrounded by hay, donkeys, and beneath a canopy of stars.
As Jesus was born, the shepherds in the field were visited by the Angels. They were momentarily filled with fear, but the Angels were merely announcing the good news that the Savior had arrived. The Angels said, “You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem to find this baby and when they did so, they were overcome with joy and certainty that this was the Savior.
How to Celebrate Jesus Christ Amidst the Chaos of Modern Life
Sometimes the hustle and bustle of everyday life will wash over the beauty of these stories and traditions. And yet, keeping the story of the birth of Jesus close to one’s heart is a reminder that there is good news in the world.
Despite the uncertainties of life—whether they be economic, familial, health-related, or career-related— the Christmas season speaks to the greater miracles of life. These stories remind us that the Lord is here, he was sent to lift the sins of the world.
He is the way, the truth, the life.
Keep the stories alive and find that Christmas is illuminated, infused with abundant life.
Need a Place to Worship and Express Your Joy or Your Doubt? Stop by Faith Miracle Sanctuary
Despite the good news of our Lord’s arrival, there are bound to be difficulties. This is why we worship as a family in the kingdom of God. We are all together. We invite you to our Bible studies and our worship so that you may grow closer to God year after year.
Come by and celebrate with us. We now have in-person services as well as virtual services. Connect with Faith Miracle Sanctuary today.