The Nativity:

Birth of the 'Prince of Peace'

By now, all of you would know that December 25 is designated (set apart for a specific purpose) as Christmas - the day Jesus, the Son of God, was born. There will be no Christmas if not for this hallowed event which is celebrated all over the world by his followers.

Even though the birth of Jesus is celebrated on this special day, there is no clear evidence as to when he was actually born. However, somewhere in the fourth century, the Roman Church decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25 to coincide with the pagan celebrations of the Roman Saturnalia.

And from then onwards, Christmas has been celebrated throughout the world on this day, though very often the message of Christmas is lost in the commercialisation of Christmas.

So, even though many of you may be familiar with the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, let's go back in time once again and freshen our minds with the story of the birth or the nativity story.

About 2000 years ago, in the town of Nazareth (a small town in Galilee), there lived a young woman named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a carpenter by the name of Joseph. One day the Angel, Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she was indeed blessed among women, and she had been chosen by God to have a special baby; the baby would be God's son and that she should call him 'Jesus'.

After the angel's visit, Mary and Joseph were married. Mary was due to have her baby when they were told that they had to go on a long journey to Bethlehem which was the birthplace of Joseph.

This was because Augustus Caesar (the Ruler of Rome) had decreed (official order with the force of law) that all citizens should go to their respective cities to be registered in a census (survey). Mary had to ride on a donkey for a few days over the hills of Galilee, as there were no vehicles then as we have today.

At last Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. The city was crowded with people who had come for their registration and all the inns were full up. Mary was tired and it was also time for her to deliver the baby. Joseph was worried for his wife and went from place to place looking for a room to rest, after the tiring journey. It was cold too and they needed a warm place to rest.

A kind inn-keeper finally suggested that the only place where Mary and Joseph could stay was a stable. So, they settled in there for the night and a sometime later Mary gave birth to her son in that stable. She wrapped him in cloth and placed him in the manger (trough where animals eat).

On this significant night, on a hillside overlooking Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching over their sheep. They suddenly noticed a bright light in the sky. It was the dazzling Star of Bethlehem (as we call it today) that shone above the stable where baby Jesus lay. They also heard a choir of angels sing.

They were very afraid. Then an angel sent by God told them not to be afraid because he had some good news for them. The angel said, "Glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth to men of goodwill..." He said that the Son of God has been born and that they would find Him in Bethlehem if they followed the star.

The shepherds, like many of the ordinary people, had been waiting for the Messiah. On hearing the good news, they rushed to the stable to see the infant Jesus. They were overjoyed to see the Baby and they knelt down and worshipped Him. They told Mary and Joseph how they were directed by the Angel to visit them and were so glad for being the very fist to know about His birth.

Meanwhile, Three Wise Men from the East who saw the star knew that this star indicated the birth of a unique person, a new ruler. They followed the star and came to Bethlehem. But first they went to King Herod to inquire as to where the new-born prince was.

They asked to see the child that would be King of the Jews. Herod was very agitated (troubled) on hearing this, though he never showed his emotions. So, Herod told them politely to find out where the new ruler was born and on their return to let him know, so that he too could pay homage to the new born King.

The Wise Men set off to find the baby. They were guided by the star to the stable in Bethlehem. On seeing Jesus, they knelt down and worshipped him. They gave him the gifts they had brought with them, namely, gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The three Wise Men were among the enlightened people and they travelled miles and miles following the great star; they were vigilant, unlike the majority of the people, to the happenings around them and so they saw the great star. They too were privileged to see the Infant Jesus and worship Him like the shepherds.

Once again, in the night an angel appeared to the Wise Men and warned them that Herod would harm Jesus and that they should not visit him in his palace. So, they went back to their own country without stopping to see Herod.

This is the story of the birth of Jesus. But, how many of us even remember what really took place on that beautiful night. Isn't it true that the spirit of Christmas seems to have got lost in the process of commercialisation in this modern world? People tend to identify Christmas with extravagance; shopping, hectic buying, colourful lights, and exclusive menus.

But, how many of us realise that God chose Jesus to be born amongst the lowliest of creatures, in a cattleshed, without any luxuries, for the sake of mankind? The message of Christmas is that God loved mankind so much that He gave Himself completely for the sake of mankind.Jesus was born to bring love, peace and harmony to all mankind.

It is significant to note that the angel did not make the announcement to the rich, mighty and the powerful who had thronged the City of Bethlehem. But, he appeared to the humble and lowly shepherds who have been an oppressed lot in the Jewish society, awaiting their Redeemer, the Messiah for long years.

Judea was under Roman rule and heavy burdens were placed on the people by way of taxes. People wanted to break the shackles (chains) of bondage to Rome and free themselves, so they were anxiously waiting for the Messiah, who they thought, would bring salvation to them.

You too should learn to love one another and set example to others. So, when you celebrate Christmas, don't be carried away by the glitter and glamour; remember the spiritual message this significant event brings.

We all need to focus on this, and learn to live in peace and harmony, loving one another, especially at a time like this. Today our country is facing much strife due to the ethnic war, so, let's make the birth of the 'Prince of Peace' truly meaningful to all.

Taniya Moses

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Fact file

* Authoritative accounts of the Nativity - the birth of Jesus of Nazareth are given in the Gospel of Mathew and the Gospel of Luke that form part of the New Testament of the Bible.

* Joseph was the 'earthly father' of Jesus. The heavenly father was God.

* The gospels indicate that the birth of Jesus was the fulfilment of prophecies made by the Prophets of Israel.

* The name 'Christmas' was given for the festival to signify the Christian belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the 'Christ' or Messiah promised in the Old Testament of the Bible. Messiah is a Hebrew word. Christ is derived from the Greek equivalent.

* The midnight mass (December 24) or the mass held in the morning on Christmas Day (December 25) is the main celebration on this day.

* According to the gospels, Mary and Joseph travelled about 150 kilometres (90 miles) from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem - Joseph's ancestral home.

* Even though the names of the Magi (the Wise Men) nor their number are specified, three gifts are mentioned in the gospels. A tradition arose that there were three Magi, going by the number of gifts. The Magi are sometimes referred to as kings because of the prophecies that kings will pay homage to the Messiah.

* In Mexico and in certain parts of Central America, it is traditional to build the Nativity scene or the crib on December 16.

Traditionally the scene is completed as time goes by and Baby Jesus is not added until December 24. The shepherds are placed the day after. The three Wise Men are not included in the Nativity scene until January 6. Traditionally the Nativity scene (crib) is not taken down until February 2.

* The Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star or Jesus Star is regarded as a miraculous sign given by God to mark the birth of Christ, His son.

* In modern times, astronomers have proposed various theories about this star mentioned in the Bible. According to them it could be a nova, a planet, a comet, or a conjunction (massing of planets).

* A perennial plant native to southern Europe, growing from a bulb, to a height of 30 cm with grass-like basal bares, and slender stalk, bearing clusters of star-shaped white flowers stripped with green, is called the Star of Bethlehem.