A hallowed birth
by E.M. Aldons
Early humans lived in caves and hunted in forests for their food.
They gradually invented language and their communication skills and made
weapons and instruments for their use.
 In their underground caverns and grottos, they performed magical
rituals to bring them solace and painted animal figures on visible
surfaces as an expression of their vision of the world. They were
religious in a dimension of their own, outside the credible ideology, of
the tone God and buried their dead with rituals destined to assure them
of a better life in another world.
The Bible deals with early humans who believed in the God who created
them.
Powerful Armies
The books of the Old Testament contain references to the life of the
people at that time who were Gods chosen people. At the same time,
ancient history has a bearing on the secular contents of the Bible. The
narratives refer to the wars they had to face, their unfortunate capture
by powerful armies of their nations and total subsections to their rule.
However, not all humans even among those who believed in God, knew that
one day a Saviour would be born among them to bring them salvation and
protection and lead them to an eternal life.
It was in this backdrop that humans who believed in God lived in
expectation of the coming of a Saviour. They were nevertheless overcome
by uncertainties not knowing when He would come, who He would be and
what He would do for them. They could only depend on those who were
identified as God's Prophets and were guided by what they said.
During the time of King Ahaz, Prophet Isaiah made a prophesy which
was a sign from God. He said, "The Virgin is with child and bears a son
and calls his name Emmanuel." (Ts. 7:14).
This name meant "God with us." The word "virgin," used in this text,
was understood to mean a young girl or a young woman. As it was a sign
given by God, it was understood as having relevance to the time. The
people thought that the young mother was perhaps Ahaz's wife whose
motherhood would have anticipated a Saviour and who had already given
birth to a son. They later associated the young mother with the prophesy
of Prophet Micah when he spoke of the one who is to give birth." (Micah
5:2). This prophesy suggested that the child would be born to the family
of David.
In later times, Prophet Isaiah said: "For a child is born to us; a
son is given us; the royal ornament is laid upon his shoulder and his
name is proclaimed: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace." (Is 9:5) This prophesy without doubt referred
to the birth of Emmanuel who was the Saviour to come.
Matthew in his Gospel, rightly referred to this young virgin as being
Mary of the family of David. She was identified as the Virgin of Israel.
At the time, she was betrothed to a man named Joseph, she had already
conceived this child by the power of the Holy Spirit. She gave birth to
this child in Bethlehem where she and Joseph had to go to be registered
at a census decreed by Augustus Caesar, the Emperor of Rome.
Bright star
A mysterious and bright star appeared in the sky in the region on
that day which attracted the attention of three wise men in the East.
They were said to be Zoroastrian Priests who believed in the stars.
They came to Jerusalem saying: "Where is the new born King of the
Jews? We saw his rising star in the East and have come to honour him"
(Matt 2: 1-2). The star guided them to the manger where the child was
with Mary and Joseph. They knelt and worshiped Him, offering Him gifts
of gold incense and myrrh. This child, who was named at birth as Jesus,
was the Son of God.
In adult life, God made Jesus a part of His new covenant which was
intended to save not only His own people but all of mankind, which He
did.
- The Messenger
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