The Nativity, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Blarney, Ireland

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem on a dark night two thousand years ago was the arrival of a child like none other. To know the identity of the little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in the manger is to know the spiritual meaning of Christmas.

Jesus. The angel told both Joseph and Mary that their child should be given the name Jesus (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:31). The name means “God helps” or “God saves.” His name declares his purpose and mission.

Savior. The angel explained that “He will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). The angel of the Lord announced, “A savior has been born for you” (Lk 2:11). Jesus was born to die. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Redeemer. The blood that he would shed on the Cross washes away sins and opens the gates of heaven.

Messiah. The newborn Jesus is the Messiah (Lk 2:11), the Christ, the Anointed One, the promised one of God. Jesus is the fulfillment to two major messianic prophecies that had filled the people with expectation for centuries. God promised Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you … he shall tell them all that I command” (Dt 18:18). God told King David, “I will raise up your offspring … and I will establish his kingdom”; “I will be a father to him and he shall be a son to me” (2 Sm 7:12,14). The Christ child is the Prophet, the Word of God, and the King of kings.

The Lord. Not only is Jesus the Messiah, he is also “Lord” (Lk 2:11). This title underscores his divinity, his transcendence, and his royal authority over heaven and earth.

The Blessed Mother with the child Jesus, Shepherd’s Field Church, Bethlehem, Israel

Son of David. It was presumed that the Messiah would be a son of David. Jesus’ status as a son of David is so important that Matthew made it part of his opening statement about Jesus (Mt 1:1), and allusions to David are repeated throughout the genealogy (Mt 1:6,17,20). Gabriel declared that he would receive “the throne of David his father” (Lk 1:32).

Son of God. This title was given by Gabriel (Lk 1:35) and indicates that Jesus has a filial relationship with God who is his Father. Jesus shares God’s nature. His conception by the Holy Spirit confirms his divine sonship. At his baptism God said, “You are my beloved Son” (Lk 3:22), and at the Transfiguration God said, “This is my chosen Son” (Lk 9:35). He is the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1:32).

Emmanuel. The child is “God is with us” (Mt 1:23). Jesus is one with his Father in heaven, but he emptied himself, came from his place in heaven, and took on human form. Jesus revealed who God is and what God is like by his presence on earth, and his abiding presence is with all people everywhere, until the end of the age (Mt 28:20).

Born through the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20; Lk 1:35). The Incarnation is a mystery. The Holy Spirit represents God’s creative power. Jesus has divine origins. God is the one who initiated the birth of Jesus, and God is the one who brought Jesus into our midst.

The King. The magi came seeking the newborn king of the Jews (Mt 2:2). Gabriel said, “The Lord God will give him the throne” (Lk 1:32), “he will rule” (Lk 1:33), and “Of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:33). The child Jesus deserves homage as well as loyalty and obedience.

The Prince of Peace (Is 8:5). When Jesus was born the multitude of the heavenly host sang: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14).