The birth of Jesus is one of the most celebrated events in the Bible. Today, we’ll reflect on the story of baby Jesus and what it means for humanity.
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What Does The Bible Say About Baby Jesus
Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.
This verse describes the humble birth of Jesus in a stable, as there was no room for them in the inn. It highlights the simplicity and humility of Jesus’ arrival into the world, foreshadowing his future ministry among the poor and marginalized.
The use of a manger to lay baby Jesus emphasizes his identification with the lowly and the obscure. It also reminds us that God’s greatest gift to humanity was born into meager circumstances, showing that true value is not found in material wealth or status.
Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
This verse introduces the arrival of the wise men or Magi who came from the east to worship the newborn King. It demonstrates that Jesus’ birth was significant, not only to the Jewish people but also to Gentiles, representing the inclusion of all nations in God’s redemptive plan.
The recognition of Jesus as the King of the Jews by Gentile wise men also points to his universal authority and his mission to bring salvation to people of all ethnicities and backgrounds.
Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This verse describes the response of the wise men upon finding Jesus. Their joy, worship, and presentation of valuable gifts signify their recognition of Jesus’ divinity and kingship.
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh hold symbolic meaning – gold represents Jesus’ royalty, frankincense symbolizes his deity, and myrrh foreshadows his sacrificial death. The wise men’s actions demonstrate their reverence and anticipation of the Messiah’s role in salvation history.
Matthew 2:13-15
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
In this verse, an angel warns Joseph in a dream about King Herod’s plan to kill Jesus. Joseph obediently takes his family to Egypt to protect Jesus from harm, fulfilling the prophecies that the Messiah would be called out of Egypt.
This event also echoes the journey of the Israelites, who were delivered from bondage in Egypt. It signifies Jesus as the ultimate deliverer, sent by God to rescue humanity from the slavery of sin and death.
Luke 2:8-9
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
This verse introduces the shepherds who were visited by an angel announcing the birth of Jesus. The fact that God chose to reveal this magnificent news to humble shepherds emphasizes the inclusive nature of God’s plan of salvation.
The shepherds’ initial fear is understandable as they witnessed the glory of the Lord. However, their fear soon turns to rejoicing as they receive the good news of Jesus’ birth, highlighting the joy and hope that Jesus brings to the world.
Luke 2:10-11
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
In this verse, the angel reassures the shepherds and announces the arrival of the Savior, the Messiah. The angel’s emphasis on the universality of this good news emphasizes that Jesus’ birth is a cause for great joy for all people, regardless of social status or background.
Jesus is identified as the Savior, the long-awaited Messiah, and the Lord. This proclamation highlights the central role of Jesus in God’s plan of salvation, bringing hope, redemption, and lordship to all who believe in him.
Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Following the angel’s announcement, a multitude of heavenly beings join in praising God and proclaiming peace on earth to those who receive God’s favor.
This proclamation emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ birth for humanity. It highlights the divine purpose of bringing peace between God and humanity through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This verse encapsulates the incarnation of Jesus, where the eternal Word of God took on human form and dwelt among us. It affirms the deity of Jesus while emphasizing his humanity.
Jesus’ dwelling among us reveals God’s desire to intimately relate to humanity, to experience our joys and sorrows, and to demonstrate his love and grace through Jesus’ life and ministry.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah, describing the various roles and titles Jesus would embody.
The Messiah’s birth signifies the fulfillment of God’s promise and the establishment of his eternal kingdom. This verse presents Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace, highlighting his divine attributes and his ability to bring wisdom, strength, and peace to those who trust in him.
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
This verse prophesies the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem, specifically pointing to Jesus’ coming as the ruler over Israel. It emphasizes Jesus’ eternal nature, attributing to him origins from ancient times.
Despite Bethlehem’s smallness and insignificance in human eyes, God chooses it as the birthplace of the Messiah. This highlights God’s tendency to work through the humble and unexpected, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom in his redemptive plan.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
This verse prophesies the virgin birth of Jesus, a miraculous sign from God. It foretells that a young woman, untouched by a man, will conceive and bear a son who will be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”
Jesus’ birth is a unique and divine event, fulfilling this prophecy and revealing that God, in his grace, chose to be physically present with humanity in Jesus Christ, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This verse encapsulates the heart of the gospel message. God’s love for the world compels him to give his only Son, Jesus, as the sacrificial Lamb for the redemption of humanity.
By believing and having faith in Jesus, we receive the gift of eternal life, escaping the punishment of sin and entering into an eternal relationship with God. This verse demonstrates the depth of God’s love and the extent of his desire for our salvation.
Philippians 2:6-8
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
This verse describes Jesus’ humility and self-emptying as he took on human form. Though he is God, Jesus willingly sets aside the privileges and glory of divinity to become like one of us.
His ultimate act of humility is seen in obediently surrendering himself to death, even death on a cross, fulfilling God’s redemptive plan to save humanity from sin and death. This verse underscores Jesus’ sacrificial love and servant-hearted nature.
Colossians 1:15-20
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him, to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
This passage from Colossians expresses the profound supremacy and significance of Jesus Christ. It declares Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and the agent through whom all things were created.
Jesus’ preeminence is further emphasized as everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, is created by him and for him. He is the sustainer of all things and the head of the Church.
This passage also stresses Jesus’ role in reconciliation. By shedding his blood on the cross, Jesus makes peace and reconciles all things to himself, both on earth and in heaven. It demonstrates the comprehensive scope of Jesus’ redemptive work.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
This verse presents Jesus as a compassionate high priest who understands our weaknesses and temptations because he himself experienced them.
Jesus’ sinless life qualifies him to be the perfect mediator between God and humanity. He sympathizes with our struggles and offers grace, mercy, and forgiveness, inviting us to approach the throne of grace with confidence.
1 Timothy 1:15
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
In this verse, Paul declares the central purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world – to save sinners. Paul personally acknowledges himself as a prime example of someone who needs salvation.
This verse highlights the universal need for redemption and emphasizes Jesus’ role as the Savior who came to seek and save the lost. It demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and mercy.
1 John 4:9-10
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
This passage magnifies the incomparable love of God demonstrated in the sending of his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
It underscores the selflessness of God’s love, as it was not based on our worthiness or love for him, but solely on his unconditional love for us. It shows that we can find true life and salvation through Jesus, whom God sent out of love for humanity.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
In this verse, Paul emphasizes the remarkable love of God, who demonstrates his love not when we were righteous or deserving, but when we were still in a state of sin.
Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love and grace, providing a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to him. It reveals God’s willingness to reach out to us in our brokenness and offer redemption and new life through faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
In this verse, Paul emphasizes God’s love, mercy, and grace in making us alive with Christ. Despite our sinful state, God, motivated by love, extends his grace towards us, granting us salvation.
Through faith in Jesus, we are transformed from spiritual death to spiritual life. It is a testament to God’s overflowing love and mercy that He would rescue us from our state of separation from Him and bring us into a restored relationship with Him.
2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
This verse speaks of the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ incarnation and the gift of salvation he offers to us.
Jesus, who possessed heavenly riches, willingly chose to become poor and take on human form. This act of selflessness was for the purpose of enriching us with the gift of salvation and the immeasurable blessings of God’s grace. It further highlights the incomprehensible love and compassion of Jesus.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
This verse emphasizes the divine timing and purpose of Jesus’ birth. It highlights that God, in his sovereignty, orchestrated the perfect time for Jesus to enter the world.
Jesus’ birth as a human under the law enabled him to fulfill the requirements of the law, making redemption possible for all who are under its bondage. Through Jesus, we are delivered from the power of the law and receive the privilege of being adopted as children of God.
Titus 3:4-5
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
This verse highlights the essential nature of God’s kindness, love, and mercy in our salvation. It emphasizes that our salvation is not obtained through our own righteous works but is solely a result of God’s grace.
Through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we experience a spiritual rebirth and renewal, being transformed from our old sinful nature into new creations in Christ. It underscores the undeserved nature of our salvation and the immense love and mercy of our Savior.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
This verse emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. It declares that there is no other person or name under heaven that can grant eternal salvation.
Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection provide the only path to reconciliation with God. It underscores the uniqueness of Jesus’ redemptive work and the necessity of placing our faith and trust in him for salvation.