A little more than 2,000 years ago, a baby was born who split time in half. Were you aware of that? We are living in the year 2023 A.D. because of the birth of Jesus Christ.
We have recorded that the construction of the Great Wall of China began in 214 B.C. because this took place around 214 years Before Christ.
We have recorded that the Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 A.D. because this took place around 1,990 years after the birth of Christ. Incredible!
Take a moment and think about that. If Jesus Christ was simply a nice Jewish carpenter with good teachings, time would surely not have been split in two on account of him. No, something much more significant must have been at play for such a drastic occurrence.
The 1739 A.D. Christmas Carol that we still sing today, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” tells us of the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ.
“…offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’ incarnate Deity, pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the new born King!’ Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the new born King!’” This song reminds us that Jesus Christ was as scripture tells us, God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), that He was the fullness of God in bodily form (Colossians 2:8-9). Jesus is called “Emmanuel” which being interpreted means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). There is only One God, “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) and he came into “the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:10-13).” To those who believe on Jesus’ name, who receive him (Which also means receiving and obeying his words), he gives power to be born again, born of God into the family of God.
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” also reminds us that Jesus was “Born that man no more may die.” The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ “has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). How did He do it? How did He establish immortality for us? A divine exchange. The immortal God became mortal flesh who died in our place, but three days later rose again, defeating death for those who believe this good news, repent, and get baptized. “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:11-12).”
This Christmas, receive Jesus and his gift of eternal life, and give him the greatest gift you could give him your whole heart. If you do, this will truly be “the most wonderful time of the year… the hap-happiest season of all!”
Editor’s Note: The Daily Star invites area clergy members to submit religion columns for consideration. Email community@thedailystar.com for more information.