The Meaning Behind the Nativity
As we prepare for this very special time of year, I want to share with you the beautiful significance of the Nativity, the birth of Jesus, and what the coming of Christ means for us today.
I hope you’ll join me this month as we embrace all that God has for us this Christmas season – a season of peace, joy, and goodwill to all.
The Meaning of Nativity
Nativity is defined as the process or circumstances of being born; the birth of Jesus (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Nativity is from the Latin word nativus, which means “arisen by birth” (Compellingtruth.org).
The Nativity Scene, with which we are all familiar, is defined as the Nativity of Jesus or the Birth of Jesus. The manger scene symbolizes a humble beginning for our Savior.
The Holman Bible Dictionary explains, “His conception was virginal. His advent was announced by angels. His actual birth occurred in a place and time that seemed to be no place and time for a baby to be born. Angels announced. Shepherds heard, came, and wondered. Magi came later to bring gifts.”
The significance of the Nativity is the miraculous birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 NKJV
Jesus Came to Fulfill the Prophecies
Just as we long for healing and restoration, so the people of Israel longed for things to be made new. Into their years of waiting, God spoke through His prophets and other leaders to tell them of the future hope of a Messiah, one who would bring the healing their nation so desperately needed.
These prophecies told of a Messiah who had very specific characteristics. This coming King would be born in Bethlehem to a young, virgin woman (Luke 1:26-38). He would be called “Immanuel,” being the literal “God with us” that the name indicates (Isaiah 7:14). He would be worshipped by desert tribes and kings (Psalm 72:9-10). The Messiah would be born into the line of King David and rule wisely in a just and right way (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
We know from the New Testament accounts that Jesus is the answer to all of these prophecies. He was born to Mary, a young virgin woman. He was born in Bethlehem and worshipped by shepherds and the magi. He is fully God and fully human, truly being God with us. Jesus was born into the line of David, and we know that He rules all creation with justice and mercy.
Christ humbled himself. God exalted him.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV
Jesus Came to Destroy the Work of Satan
John 10:10 tells us the thief (Satan) comes to steal our joy, kill our hopes, and destroy our lives. But Jesus assures us that He has come so that we may have an abundant life.
The pain and the tragedy we experience here on Earth are consequences of Satan’s work. Where God created all things to reflect His own character of goodness and beauty, Satan has done everything he can to destroy anything good in this world. He brought evil through jealousy, violence, injustice, anger, and sickness into the world. His goal is to wreak havoc in our hearts and minds in hopes we will turn against God and each other. It began with Adam and Eve in the garden when he disguised himself as a serpent and has continued through every generation since his trickery in the Garden of Eden.
But we know that Satan does not have the final say. Though he desires to reject God’s rule and bring God’s work to ruin, he does not, nor will he ever have the ultimate power. Jesus has the power to break every destructive thing that Satan does. God’s Word tells us in 1 John 3:8 NKJV, “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Truth.
Jesus, Our Redeemer
Luke 19:9-10 NKJV says, “And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’”
Without Jesus, we are simply left to our own devices and Satan’s trickery. Without Him, we are broken, sinful people with no hope of healing or being made clean. Without His work, we would have no way to be reconciled to God.
The birth of Jesus Christ and His coming to Earth made way for us to be restored in relationship to God. Because of the wounds He suffered, we are healed. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we have a hope beyond this life – a life that stretches into eternity.
The birth of Jesus Christ is our ultimate hope. It is the culmination of everything Jesus came to accomplish on Earth. He came not simply to destroy the evil work of Satan but to completely restore us and give us a life that is far more than we could ever imagine. It is in Him that we are healed and renewed.
Jesus came to give us abundant life.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV
The Nativity reflects the birth of Christ, humble beginnings, and the gift of everlasting life for those who believe.
I pray the Christmas season awakens much wonder and joy for you as it does for me. Amidst the busyness of the holidays, I hope you find time for reflection and renewal. Allow the Holy Spirit to move you nearer to Christ and join in as we worship the beauty and peace of this spectacular Christmas holiday!
Reflection Questions
How might you share the significance of the Nativity with others this Christmas season? How might you see the birth of Jesus as relevant to your life this year? Are there any areas in your life where you would like to see healing? If so, please share your prayer requests and needs so that I may be praying for you this Christmas season.
The greatest gift – Jesus Christ.
Shalom.
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