The Birthday of Our Savior
About 2000 years ago, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary, who lived in Israel in the village of Nazareth. Gabriel announced to Mary that, although she was not yet married, she was going to become the mother of Jesus, Our Savior, by the special power of God. When Mary heard these words, even though she was surprised, she replied, "Be it done to me according to your word." She was given in matrimony to Joseph, who had already promised to marry her.
At that time, it was decreed that a census be taken by order of the Roman Emperor. It required everyone in Israel to return to the place of their birth and register. When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem the bible describes the scene in these words.
"While the two of them were there, it was time for Mary's child to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn, who was a boy. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room at the inn."
When Mary and Joseph reached Bethlehem, many travelers had already arrived at the inn, so they slept in a stable where Jesus was born.
It was not by chance that Jesus was born in such a miserable place. It was God's plan. Jesus was not just born in poor circumstances, he lived a life of poverty until his death on the cross. In that way he taught us a very special lesson. We often think of someone with lots of possessions as leading a good life as a happy person. But Jesus, who was born in very poor circumstances and led a life of poverty, taught us that things like faith, hope and love are spiritual riches far better than money or riches which can be lost.
救い主の誕生
約二千年前、天使ガブリエルが、イスラエルのナザレという町に住むマリア様に現れ、乙女でありながら、神様の力によって救い主イエス・キリストの母になることを告げました。それを聞いたマリア様は驚きながらも「おことばどおりこの身になりますように」と応え、婚約者ヨセフと結婚しました。
その頃、ローマ皇帝の命令でイスラエルの国で国勢調査が行われることになり、イスラエルの人々は皆、自分の本籍地へ戻って名前を届けなければなりませんでした。この二人が自分の本籍地ベツレヘムに着いた時の様子は、聖書にこう書いてあります。
「二人がそこにいる間に、マリアはお産の日が満ちて、男の初子を産んだ。そして、その子をうぶぎにくるみ、かいば桶に寝かせた。宿屋には彼らのために場所がなかったからである。」
マリア様とヨセフがベツレヘムに着いた時、大勢の人々が集まって来て、二人は宿屋に泊まることができず、馬小屋のような貧しい所で泊まり、イエス様はそこでお生まれになりました。
イエス様が、そのような貧しい所でお生まれになったのは、偶然のことではありません。神様のご計画によるものです。イエス様は貧しい所でお生まれになっただけではなく、十字架上で亡くなられるまでの間、貧しい生活でした。それは私たちに大事なことを教えられるためでした。たくさんの財産があって、豊かな生活ができる人々は幸せだと、よく思われていますが、イエス様は貧しい生活を送ることによって、いつかは失うお金や財産よりも、信仰、希望、愛など、霊的な富の方が大事だということを教えられたのであります。
