"To us a child is born" is a statement by the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 9:6, that sums up the real meaning of Christmas.

A child, the Lord Jesus Christ, was born into the world. Jesus Christ is God the Son. His Father could have sent Him to earth in whatever manner He chose. Jesus could have just walked into town one day and started His ministry. The miracles, the apostles, the teaching, the crucifixion, and the resurrection all would have taken place; but for a reason, God the Father sent Jesus Christ as a baby.

A suitable woman was needed to give birth to Jesus. God chose Mary and sent an angel to enlist her (Luke 1:26-33). Mary submitted to God and told the angel, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (v. 38). Because God used Mary, we have her example of trust and submission.

Mary was a betrothed virgin. Her betrothal time was to prepare herself for the wedding, in addition to keeping her covenant promises and vows. A pregnancy during the betrothal would doom her impending marriage.

The child, Jesus Christ, would be conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35). Nothing like this had ever happened. How could Mary explain such a thing? But she trusted God.

God sent an angel to speak to Mary's intended husband Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25). He also trusted God and entered into this holy alliance with Mary and God.

God did not announce the miraculous conception of Jesus to the world. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus would live with the conjecture of people as they gossiped and surmised what they thought really happened.

Jesus came as a child to fulfill prophecy, but also to fulfill His role as our High Priest. Hebrews 2:17 tells us, "For this reason he [Jesus Christ] had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God." Verse 18 goes on to say, "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

Jesus is declared "a great high priest" in Hebrews 4:14. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (v. 15); therefore, we can confidently run to Him and ask for mercy and grace in our need (v. 16).

"To us a child is born." Jesus lived a complete life. Hebrews 5:8 declares that "although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered."

When Jesus was twelve years old, He took occasion on one of His family's annual visits to Jerusalem to begin His earthly ministry. He went to the temple and began to discuss the things of God with the rabbis (Luke 2:46). His parents found Him and rebuked Him for His actions, though their rebuke was misplaced. Luke 2:51 says, "He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them."

The life of Christ is a full example to us. He suffered as a learner, He lived in dependence on God His Father for sustenance, and He died fully trusting in the power of God to raise Him from the dead (Acts 2:24).

So let us fully appreciate the gift of God this Christmas as we worship and celebrate Jesus Christ.