Sometimes we could be living in an epic moment without realizing we are witnessing events that will alter the course of history forever for all mankind.
Yeshua’s birth was probably the most low-key birth of all; born in a stable, with no one to witness or celebrate the event that would forever change this world. Only those who were sensitive to the Lord’s times, who had ears to hear and eyes to see were able to recognize the great light that was sent to mankind.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2
It’s not about dates, it’s about times. Christmas isn’t about celebrating a date, but celebrating God’s gift to the world: eternal salvation through His precious Son, our Messiah Yeshua.
As the whole world gathered to celebrate Christmas, it was also a wonderful opportunity to remind ourselves that a holiday that often seems so foreign to Jewish people is in actual fact a celebration and culmination of many biblical prophecies that spoke about the birth of our Jewish Savior.
Isaiah, a Jewish prophet, spoke about what the whole world is celebrating tonight:
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.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9:6-7
How could anyone possibly say it’s not a Jewish holiday if it celebrates the birth of our Jewish Messiah, who was born a few miles away from where we write these lines?
Yeshua chose to be born here so it would be impossible to forget that Israel was His homeland and that it was here that He chose to reveal Himself to His own brethren – the nation of Israel.
Let’s put the focus on Him, on the reason we live and breathe and have eternal hope. It is because of what happened over 2000 years ago that we are able to sit together with our families and celebrate what Yeshua’s birth means to us all.
May you have a wonderful and blessed time celebrating our Lord during this season! May His light shine brightly in your life and the lives of your loved ones, not only today but every day.
Shalom (eternal peace) from Israel and Merry Christmas from Yeshua’s homeland.
Beit Hallel is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, led by pastor Israel Pochtar, serving holocaust survivors and the poor and needy locally and throughout the nation of Israel, while building up the body of Messiah in the promised land of Israel.