[Darris McNeely] The story of Christ's birth should never be confused with the myths and misunderstanding that so often surround the story from the Bible about His birth as it is caught up in the Christmas celebrations every year. We have had a number of Beyond Today Dailies talking about when Christ was born and why He was born.

We can't really leave that subject this year without looking once again at the story of Christ's birth as told in Luke and asking the real question I think, and that is why with Christ's birth, what and why is the most important thing for us to understand about this. Luke records the well-known story of shepherds being in the fields at the time of His birth. An angel appearing, standing before them and telling them not to be afraid and exactly what had taken place that night. Then he said, "Do not be afraid. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Never forget Christ came as a Savior first and foremost.

What we have in the story of Jesus Christ's birth is the story of God becoming flesh. God the Creator, the creator of all life and He who sustains it all, that John in his gospel in the first chapter calls the Word becoming flesh, walking among men. God became flesh fulfilling the prophecy from the prophet Isaiah of Emmanuel, God with us.

That's what happened. That night in Bethlehem when Christ was born to Mary the announcement came to the angels, and the announcement was a Savior is born. When we look at the entire story of Christ's life, His coming in the flesh, what we are left with I think is summed up in Hebrews 4:15 when in this wonderful book that extols the office, the position of Christ as High Priest. We're told in verse 15 of chapter 4 that, "We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

That night as Christ was born as a baby and as He grew to adulthood and as He lived a human life without sin, He became ultimately through His death and then His resurrection an acceptance to the Father, He became our High Priest. He was tempted in every way just as we are tempted. He experienced this life. And in doing so He did it without sin through all those temptations. And because He did and because He died for our sins and because He lives, because He was resurrected, we have a Savior. That wonderful announcement that was made to the shepherds in the field upon the birth of Jesus Christ came to pass. That's why. Never ever forget that.

That's the most important story from the gospel record of the birth of Jesus Christ.

That's BT Daily. Join us next time.