World history is divided by the birth of Jesus into B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (anno Domini—Latin, meaning "in the year of the Lord"). It's been around 2010 years since Jesus was born.

Many think Jesus was actually born in the year 6 B.C. because Cyrenius ordered a census in 7-6 B.C. (Luke 2:1-2). And King Herod, who ordered children under age 2 to be killed, died in 4 B.C.

Jesus birth was absolutely unique.

• His Father was God (John 3:16).
• His mother was a virgin (Matt. 1:23).
• He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
• He came from heaven (John 6:28).
• Angels announced His birth (Luke 2:9-10).
• He received worship (Matt. 2:11).
• He hid His glory (Phil. 2:5-8).
• He inherited no sin (2 Cor. 5:21).
• He was born to be the Savior of mankind (Matt 1:21).

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, His "birth certificate" was accurately completed. (You'll find details in Isa. 7:14;9:6;40:10-11; 42:6,12; Psalm 2:7;16:10; Gen. 49:10; Micah 5:2.)

There is a sound of joy in every language's words for "Merry Christmas:"

• Boas Festas (Brazil)
• Buon Natale (Italy)
• Feliz Navidad (Mexico)
• Frohliche Weinachten (Germany)
• Glad Yul (Sweden)
• Joyeux Noel (France)
• Kala Christougena (Greece)
• Meri Kurisumasu (Japan)

Christmas was first celebrated in North America at Jamestown, Virginia in the year 1607.

Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House