This is the time of the year when our souls fill with joy, and the whole world seems to be happy. What could make this happen? It is the baby in the manger who is God. The source for this idea is a book that can be trusted – the Bible. Intense archaeological research has shown the Bible to be trustworthy in historical and geographical matters. The Scriptures have been scrutinized by scholars for nearly 2,000 years and have been found reliable. They are backed up by more manuscript findings than any other ancient document. All of this external evidence is in this book in which God has given His divine revelation to the human race. The deity of Christ is a concept that can be trusted because it comes from a credible source. In that light, it makes sense for us to see what the Bible says about the identity of its central figure. It makes sense for us to follow that evidence all the way to its conclusion. It’s clear that the Messiah’s coming was an expected event on the religious calendar of pre-Christian days. But there’s more. Not only did the Holy writings of the Old Testament era tell of a coming Messiah, but they also told us that He would have a quality known to no other man. He would be God (Isaiah 7:14). “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” The key to seeing this verse as a prediction of Jesus’ coming as God in the flesh is found in the title Immanuel. The word literally means “God with us.” Surely this must have been a mystery to those who heard this prophecy. In what sense would the child bear the presence of God? Because of additional revelation of the New Testament 760 years later (Mat 1:20-23). But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary your wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Phil 2:5-6). “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.” Here we get a picture of Jesus in both of His essential natures – as God and as man. First, He had always exited as God in His essential nature. Secondly, He voluntarily laid aside the majesty and glory of being God to become the God-man – the humble servant who was obedient to death. Jesus, then, was God and remained God by nature, even when He became a man on earth (John 10:23-28). And Jesus walked in the Temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, “How long do you make us to doubt? If You are Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you believe not: the works that I do in My Father’s Name, they bear witness of Me. But you believe not, because you are not of My sheep,” as I said unto you. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them Eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (John 3:3). Jesus answered and said unto him, “verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Would you pray this prayer with me? Heavenly Father, forgive me that your Son had to lay His life down for me. I accept your free gift in Jesus name. “Amen” if you said this prayer with me then the Holy Spirit is in you. Now walk in newness of life, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no Law. May God bless you and your family this coming Christmas.