The Birth of Jesus

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(Luke 2:8-14)

Luke clearly states here the importance of this single birth. A gift from God of peace and good will. More than that, a Saviour to All People!

This, however, was not the first appearance of an angel in the Gospel of Luke. The angel Gabriel appeared before Zacharias, informing him that his wife would bear a son named John, who would become John the Baptist. Gabriel stated John's purpose even before he was born:

:to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17)

Thus, before Jesus' life even began, God was sending a message of His gift to the world. A modest beginning to be sure:

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

(Luke 2:7)

Yet, from this modest beginning began a life that would affect the world as no other life had ever done before, or will again. The angel Gabriel on his visit to Mary made clear the gift that God has bestowed upon us:

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever: and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

(Luke 1:31-33)

Foreshadowed by the appearance of Gabriel and the birth of John, Jesus was born to the promise of an everlasting kingdom, peace and goodwill to all people; the birth of Jesus signified the fulfillment of this promise.

Passages on this site refer to the King James Version of the Holy Bible