Christmas is a sacred religious celebration as well as a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon that takes place on 25th December. This beautiful celebration commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem and is celebrated all around the world.
We celebrate Christmas because the birth of Jesus Christ is “good news,” as the angel prophesied. It’s usual to rejoice over good news. Indeed, the angel predicted that the news of Jesus’ birth would bring “great joy” to “all the people.”
Do you know how the great Jesus was born and what sacrifices he made for his followers, aside from the happy Christmassy part?
Let’s take a quick look at Jesus’ life.
6 BC: The Birth Of Jesus
The angel Gabriel came to Mary before Jesus’ birth and told her she was going to have a very remarkable baby.
Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, roughly six miles from Jerusalem, between 4 and 6 BC.
To prevent the murder of baby boys commanded by King Herod, his parents, Joseph and Mary, brought him to Egypt.
Jesus was not the son of Joseph in the traditional sense, according to the Gospels.
Without any human father, Jesus was miraculously conceived by Mary through God.
That is why Christians believe he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to Mary.
5 BC: The Wise-men’s Visit
King Herod, concerned about the possibility of a rival, had requested the wise men to inform him if they came across the infant Christ.
Wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem with gifts for the baby Christ.
They appeared to be aware that something extraordinary had occurred.
They were looking out for a baby named ‘King of Jews.’
Herod, enraged, orders the slaughter of all boys under the age of two in Bethlehem.
However, after being warned in a dream, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt for safety.
7 AD: Jesus and The Temple
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return to their home in Nazareth in Galilee after taking refuge in Egypt.
Jesus travels to Jerusalem with his parents for the Jewish Passover celebration when he is 12 years old.
Mary and Joseph mistakenly return home, leaving Jesus behind.
They return to search for him, and three days later, they find him at the temple, communicating with the religious teachers.
‘Everyone who heard him was surprised by his intellect and his responses,’ according to Luke in the Bible.
‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ Jesus responds when Mary questions him about his absence. (The first hint of the divinity he has)
26 AD: Baptism of Jesus and The Miracle
When Jesus met a man named John the Baptist, who had formed a religious movement preparing for the coming of the Messiah, or saviour, he must have been around 30 years old. John baptised Jesus in the Jordan River.
Jesus departs from Nazareth and enters the wilderness. John claims that this is the teacher he was referring to.
‘Look, the Lamb of God who wipes away the sin of the world… this is the one I meant…’ says John in the Bible book of John.
As Jesus prayed, the Bible says, “heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in physical form, like a dove.” “You are my Son, whom I adore; with you I am very delighted,” a voice from heaven said.
Jesus immediately embarks on a 40-day fast in the Judean desert.
The devil tempts him three times, but each time Jesus refuses, the devil flees.
Jesus returns to Galilee and establishes himself at Capernaum.
Following that, he joined John’s religious movement and became convinced that God had chosen him to be the Messiah.
During the initial portion of his life, Jesus travelled from his centre in Capernaum, Galilee, to other cities and villages, performing miraculous works to prove the importance of his mission.
The Gospels record a variety of miracles, including resurrecting the dead, driving out demons, healing the sick, commanding the seas and winds to calm down, and other amazing deeds.
28 AD: Jesus and The 12 Disciples
Jesus had picked a small group of 12 disciples, or followers, to assist him in his mission.
He proceeded to offer them particular instruction and to share some of his own greatest religious experiences with them in order for them to fully understand who he was.
Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Jesus lays out the Christian manifesto, instructing on topics such as loving one’s enemy, retribution, rage, desire, divorce, concern, giving to the poor, and criticising others.
He teaches spiritual truths through simple stories known as parables.
30 AD: Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The annual Passover holiday gathers Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem.
Judas, one of the disciples agrees to betray Jesus. Jesus is captured after celebrating the Passover supper with his disciples.
He is accused of blasphemy before Jewish and Roman authorities. The death penalty is demanded by Jewish leaders.
On (Good) Friday, Jesus is crucified. His body is entombed in a tomb. On (Easter) Sunday, when his disciples go to recover it, the body has vanished.
Jesus has been resurrected from the grave, they are informed. Over the following six weeks, Jesus appears to his disciples and over 500 other followers.
Then, in front of his followers on the Mount of Olives, Jesus ascends to heaven and vanishes from view.
The Christian faith is founded on Christ’s resurrection, hence the resurrection of Jesus is extremely important to Christians.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
