Celebrate the birth of Jesus joyfully in worship, family gatherings and gift-giving

Today is Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. Most Christians around the world celebrate Jesus’ birth at this time. No one knows for sure when Jesus was born. Many scholars believe that Jesus was probably born in March or April. It is generally thought that since pre-Christian religions had winter festivals, the church chose to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the same time.

In the book of Genesis, in the Torah, and Bible, days begin in the evening. For instance, “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day (Genesis 1:5). And so it is an important part of Christianity and Judaism to celebrate a holiday on the night before, during the darkness. That is why many churches have Christmas Eve worship centered around the joy and mystery of the birth of Jesus.

The accounts of Jesus birth in the New Testament are very mystical. They begin with an angel appearing to Mary, telling her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…(Luke 1:30-31)”. Mary is quite perplexed by what the angel said and she asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin? (1:34).” The angel responds, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God (1:35).” Mary then willingly accepts, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”(1:36)

Joseph was engaged to Mary. Yet he was troubled when she became pregnant. Again an angel appears, this time in a dream, and explains to Joseph, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20 21)”

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Fast forward several months. Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem to register for taxes.

Because of the requirement to travel to their hometown, Bethlehem was overflowing. There was no room for them to stay other than a barn. While there Mary gives birth to Jesus.

An angel of the Lord appeared to a bunch of shepherds and announced, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[b] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger (Luke 2:10-12).” Then a multitude of angels appeared singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! (2:13). The shepherds ran to Bethlehem to see the newborn Christ child.

Another mystical event Matthew records, sometime later, is that three wise men were led by a star and traveled a great distance to worship the new Christ child.

The birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth. And so on Christmas Eve and Christmas, Christians celebrate joyfully in worship, family gatherings and gift-giving. May your Christmas Eve and Day be blessed.

The Rev. Glen VanderKloot is the retired pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, where he had served since 1989. 

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christmas eve and day joyfully in worship