Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Q: Matthew records Jesus’ family tree. Who is the first person in the list of names given?

• a. Abraham
• b. David
• c. Boaz

Happy birthday, Jesus! Today we’re taking a break from Revelation to celebrate Jesus’ special day. Birthdays are important because they connect us to a family and remind people of the day we were born. But Jesus’ birthday was even more important than that.

Each of the four Gospels records Jesus’ life, but they do it in different ways and for different audiences. Matthew wrote especially to the Jews. Beginning his Gospel with Jesus’ family tree, Matthew showed that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham and of David and, therefore, was Jewish.

The Old Testament prophesied that a Messiah would come. Hundreds of years passed, and the Jews were still waiting for their Messiah. The shepherds and the wise men recognized Jesus as the Messiah, but many Jews didn’t because they were looking for an earthly king who would deliver them from Roman control.

Jesus didn’t come to earth to set up a kingdom here, though. He came to live a sinless life. That way he could make salvation available to everyone. Jesus’ birth brought hope and joy, but many of the Jews who lived at that time missed out on it.

Today people around the world celebrate Christmas, but for some it’s just another holiday. For Christians it’s much more. Although it’s not Jesus’ actual birthday, it’s the day we celebrate God’s plan for salvation was set in motion on earth through Jesus’ birth.

For You

Read the story of Jesus’ birth from Matthew 1 and Luke 2 as a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. Share that story with someone else today.

Answer: a

Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.   Matthew 1:2

(The Whole Story: Matthew 1)