God became a man in the birth of Jesus, "as of the only begotten of the Father" (John 1:14), to save us from our sin!
God is not part of the physical universe... He made the physical universe...
God Himself became part of His creation by being born into it, in Jesus Christ. He is a Spirit, and He doesn't exist inside the physical realm He created (He's bigger than the universe), but He entered the universe by being born into it as a man!
It was His plan from the beginning, whereby all things were made by Him and for Him...
Col 1:15 Who (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
This plan, that God would become a man in Jesus Christ, was foreordained before the foundation of the world...
1 Peter 1:20 Who (Jesus) verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
He was foreordained: Greek NT:4267; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee: The human being Jesus did not exist before He was born of a woman into this world. He was foreseen and planned by God, and was made manifest in these last times for us as Peter said.
The human form was the image in the mind of God when He created all things and He patterned the entire universe to support human life.
God made all things so He could become part of His creation and live with us forever!
He became part of His creation by being born into it, in Jesus Christ.
The prophecy of Jesus' birth.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; … 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus, as stated by the angel Gabriel who was sent to prophesy about her coming conception and birth of the child of God, and to call His name Jesus.
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Note that Mary gives consent to the angel, and signifies her virginity by stating "I know not a man".
Joseph is comforted by an angel of the Lord in a dream about Mary's pregnancy so he didn't think she had been defiled by a man, but was carrying the child of the Holy Ghost (God).
Matt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 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 thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Note that Mary remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus. Joseph "knew her not", until after Jesus was born.
Joseph and Mary were told to name the child Jesus, which is from the Hebrew root tetragrammaton "YHWH", which is the Hebrew name of God (unpronounceable), and Yeshuwa which means, "He will save", or Yasha which means, "To be safe, or to free or succor."
This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (which being interpreted is, God with us).
The birth of John the Baptist was six months prior to Jesus' birth.
Mary visited Elisabeth, John the Baptists mother, while they were both pregnant with John and Jesus, and the unborn baby John recognized the voice of the mother of Jesus in the womb!
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and blessed Mary. Mary humbly responds with praise and rejoicing.
When John is born and Zacharias is obedient in naming him John, he is able to speak once again.
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied about Jesus.
That story is found in Luke 1:39-80
The birth of Jesus.
Jesus is born in Bethlehem fulfilling the prophecy from Micah.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
The wise men from the east come to worship Him. They are called for an audience with the Israeli king, Herod, and asked to tell the king of the time that the star appeared and the whereabouts of Jesus. When they do not return to the king and leave by a different route, the king kills all the boys of two years old and younger, attempting to kill Jesus. This shows that two years passed during this account of events. Also, it's significant to note that while most everyone teaches that there were three wise men, the Bible never indicates that there were three, only that there were "wise men". We do not know how many there were.
This is part of the vision that John saw in Revelation 12. It was Satan who used Herod to try to kill Jesus. Rev 12:4 ...and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Revelation Chapter 12 – The woman and the dragon
This passage is a 2000 year prophecy. The woman in this passage is the nation of Israel. The child born is Jesus Christ, who will "rule with a rod of iron" after He returns in Rev 19 for 1000 years. The dragon (Satan, as we see in Rev 12:9) tried to kill Jesus at the time of His birth but did not succeed. 2000 years later (probably will happen very soon) there is a war in Heaven and the devil and his angels are cast down to earth. Twice we are given a time frame of 3.5 years here where Israel is "in her place", in the promised land, and is kept safe from the wrath of Satan. The last 3.5 years where the devil is thrown down to earth having great wrath is the Great Tribulation.
Joseph is told in a dream to take his family and flee to Egypt, so that Herod can't kill Jesus. He stayed in Egypt until Herod died. Then he moved his family, with Jesus, back to Israel in the city of Nazareth.
This fulfilled another prophecy, "He shall be called a Nazarene".
Mat 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
On the night Jesus is born, an angel appears to shepherds and tells them a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord is born! A multitude of heavenly hosts appear and praise God!
The shepherds visit Jesus after His birth.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice as was the law of Moses.
A man named Simeon had been had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would see the Lord's Christ before he died. The day Jesus was in the temple, the Spirit led him there so he could see Jesus. He took the baby in his arms and blessed God and prophesied about Jesus.
Anna, the prophetess, came in and also in that instant gave thanks to the Lord.
Matt 2:1-23 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Luke 2:1-39 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 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. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And, the plan from the beginning was to become part of His own creation, and sacrifice Himself for our sins, for us... because He knew given free will that we would sin, and He chose to pay the price for us from the beginning even when He was planning it!
What must I do to be saved? What is salvation?