Jesus is the Reason for the Season and the Gift of Salvation
The Christmas holiday season doesn’t have to be a struggle for Messianic Jew and Gentile Believers. We worship a Jewish Jesus who was born Yeshua the Messiah and His birth marks the very beginning of hope and salvation for the whole world! This monumental occasion of a sacred gift from GOD (YHWH) of HIS only begotten Son, is certainly worthy of some recognition and celebration! It is the pivotal turning point for humankind because without Yeshua coming into this dark and tainted world, where would you and I be today?
Without the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) there would not be an estimated 3.4 million Christian churches worldwide today. Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with about 2.3–2.6 billion adherents. There are currently estimated to be several hundred Messianic Jewish Congregations worldwide, with numbers ranging from about 500 to over 1,000 depending on how one defines and counts them. All worshipping the Savior Yeshua (Jesus) who was born into this world.
The biggest religious debate about Christmas is how it is celebrated. I think this is underlying argument that faith groups struggle with, from Messianic Jewish congregations to conservative Christian churches. Theology and denominational sects have made the Birth of Yeshua, somewhat of a political football; pointing fingers at each other for “how to observe;” or “not to observe” this world changing event. I see it in my own family. The arguments can sometimes be very heated, so much for “peace on earth and goodwill toward men.”
In my recent post, “Hanukkah and Christmas” I discuss important historical accounts of how the Christian world developed the concept of “Christ’s Mass” which today is simply one word, “Christmas.” And how Hanukkah has evolved. I urge you to read it and share it.
Personally, I think if you keep your Christmas celebration focused on Yeshua; it is a step in the right direction, because the Messiah is greatest gift ever given to this world! I have celebrated it for years always stressing “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” as the centerpiece. My sons are adults now, but as children I told them Yeshua got three gifts – frankincense, gold and myrrh, so you can have three gifts; anything beyond three was a bonus.
I did not lie to them about a Santa Claus who would show up at our house with free gifts for all. Rather than a letter to Santa, I would recommend a prayer to Yeshua. What they received was a blessing from God provided through Mom and Dad. We decorated the tree with Nativity scene ornaments, crosses, angels, lights and a few personal mementos. Today you go can to Amazon or Temu online or your local Hobby Lobby and find any number of Jesus centered decorations for the holiday. I found this snow globe at Kohls.
At our house this year the decor theme is Jesus is the Reason. From the front hallway of our home to the dining room table setting. I want my holiday guests to be reminded of what we are truly celebrating and spark some positive conversation. The photographs above are two front door hangers that became photo backdrops inside the house. People thought they were perfect for a selfie or group photo. The “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” placemats on the dining table are a constant reminder that this blessed feast is brought to you by non-other that Jesus! And the nativity scene table runner is a shocking reminder to some that Jesus was born as a person of color. The centerpiece on the table has three snow globes – one is the nativity, center one is the Hanukkah menorah and the third is a heralding angel. I encourage those believers who do celebrate Christmas to stay focused on Yeshua, God’s gift to the world. It is not expensive to do, and I always catch the after Christmas sales to prepare for the next year.
Back to the Bible
The scriptures tell us about the circumstances around the birth of the Messiah, but it does not give the date. We know that there was great rejoicing in heaven, because Luke 2:8–20 says so; verse 13 of Luke in the Complete Jewish Bible reads this way: 13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God: 14 “In the highest heaven, glory to God! And on earth, peace among people of good will!” Although His birth is not a commanded feast by GOD in scripture, Heaven was giving great recognition to the glorious moment that WORD became flesh and came into the world as Emmanuel (Immanuel), God with us. In world of Messianic Judaism there is a belief that Yeshua was born in early fall season during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This is a worthy topic for another time.
Yet with all this, today some followers of the Savior from both Jewish and Christian backgrounds debate whether they should celebrate the event of Yeshua coming into the world to bring hope and salvation for us all.
The miraculous conception and birth of Yeshua is undeniable. His birth laid the foundation for the divine plan of salvation for mankind. The exact date does not seem so important as the event itself. Certainly, I whole heartily agree that there are wrong and right ways to celebrate, but how we honor this turning point in God’s divine plan should be noteworthy. Some congregations try to turn a blind eye to the secular Christmas season which is like trying to ignore the elephant in the room.
I say it’s an opportunity to educate believers and nonbelievers. If this holiday season is about Jesus (Yeshua) then let’s spread the good news like the shepherds from the field, like the magi (kings) who were watching for His Star. Let’s not pretend that it didn’t happen! Denominational dogma can sometime put scales on our eyes. Thank God, Yeshua gave sight to the blind!
✨ Let’s lay out the nativity story in order, weaving together the prophecies and Gospel accounts so you can see the full flow of Scripture:
📖 Prophecies Foretelling Jesus’ Birth
• Isaiah 7:14 – The virgin will conceive and bear a son, called Immanuel (“God with us”).
• Micah 5:2 – The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, though He comes from eternity.
• Isaiah 9:6–7 – A child will be born who is the Prince of Peace, ruling on David’s throne forever.
👼 Annunciation to Mary
• Luke 1:26–38 – The angel Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth, telling her she will conceive by the Holy Spirit.
• Mary responds with faith: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
🌙 Joseph’s Dream
• Matthew 1:18–25 – Joseph, troubled by Mary’s pregnancy, is reassured in a dream by an angel that the child is from the Holy Spirit.
• He is told to name the child Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins.”
🏠 Journey to Bethlehem
• Luke 2:1–5 – Caesar Augustus issues a decree for a census.
• Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, fulfilling Micah’s prophecy.
🌟 The Birth of Yeshua (Jesus)
• Luke 2:6–7 – Mary gives birth to her firstborn son in Bethlehem.
• She lays Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.
👼 Angels and Shepherds
• Luke 2:8–20 – Angels announce the good news to shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…”
• The shepherds hurry to see the child and spread the news.
🌍 The Visit of the Magi
• Matthew 2:1–12 – Wise men from the East follow a star to Bethlehem.
• They bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing kingship, divinity, and sacrifice.
⚔️ Herod’s Plot and Escape to Egypt
• Matthew 2:13–18 – Warned in a dream, Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s massacre.
• This fulfills Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
✨ The Nativity Story in One Flow
1. Foretold by prophets (Isaiah, Micah).
2. Announced to Mary by Gabriel.
3. Confirmed to Joseph in a dream.
4. Born in Bethlehem in humble circumstances.
5. Proclaimed by angels to shepherds.
6. Visited by Magi with symbolic gifts.
7. Protected by God through escape to Egypt.