When Moses, God’s chosen deliverer for Israel from Egyptian slavery, was born, Satan instigated a plot to have all Jewish babies born during that time killed. But God’s plan could not be thwarted. When the promised Messiah was born in Bethlehem the devil moved King Herod to order the slaughter of all Jewish babies born at the time. But God’s purpose and Prince could not be destroyed. Even today there are some people who try to steal or fence in the Christ of Christmas. Why does the babe of Bethlehem, the Christ of Christmas, illicit so much animosity from so many down through the centuries? What child is this?

Consider the uniqueness of the Christ of Christmas. One of my favorite Christmas carols is entitled “What Child is This?” by William C. Dix. The first verse asks, “What child is this, who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud the Babe, the Son of Mary.”

What makes this child so uniquely different from all other figures in history?

Consider his virgin birth. It was prophesied centuries before that Christ would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14-16) The angel Gabriel announced his birth to a young virgin named Mary. (Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-20) You may ask, “How is it possible for a virgin to give birth to a child?” Mary asked that very same question. (Luke 1:34) The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will over shadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy and he will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:36 NLT). How is it possible? “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

Christ is the divine son of God. The virgin birth was necessary. If Christ was not divine, his death on the cross could never pay the penalty for our sins. Only because Christ was the innocent, sinless, spotless Son of God could his death make atonement for the sins of the world.

Consider the divinity of the babe of Bethlehem – the Christ of Christmas. Angels and shepherds worshipped him. (Luke 2:8-20) The magi from the east who followed the star to Bethlehem worshipped him. (Matthew 1:1-11) All the hosts and inhabitants of heaven worship Christ. (Revelation 5:9-14) This unique One is God. (John 1:18) Jesus claimed divinity and received worship. (John 10:30-38)

Let’s follow the injunction of the Christmas carol, “So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, rich and poor, to own Him; the King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud the babe, the Son of Mary.”