We look back at the first Christmas in Bethlehem through the lens of history. We see the birth of Jesus as God’s gift to the world (John 3:16). But we should not miss the truth of Matthew 1:21 either. Jesus came to save “his people” first.

Matthew 1:19 describes Joseph as a “just man” who had decided to divorce Mary “quietly” when he learned she was pregnant. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20–21). 

The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning to deliver or rescue. It is the same name as Joshua, the man who led the Hebrew people into the promised land. Matthew is careful to describe the moment when an angel told Joseph the name of the baby Mary would deliver because, in that name, Joseph would understand the baby’s purpose. His name would be Jesus because the baby was the Messiah. Joseph understood and knew that he was called to care for Mary and her son.

Jesus was God’s gift to the world, but he came first to the chosen people of God. The apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans, and he makes a statement in chapter 1 that is considered to be the theme of Romans. The apostle wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Jesus came to save “his people” first.

Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, two people who lived with great faith in God. The first Christmas was for those who were faithful to God the Father. The faithful Jewish people would be the first to understand and accept Jesus as their Messiah. Faithful Jewish men were chosen to be his disciples. Sadly, it would be the Jewish leaders who would hinder Jesus’ ministry the most. 

Jesus was born for one singular purpose. He was born to save “his people.” God’s children would be redefined in the years to come as those who “believed in the name of Jesus.” Jesus still wants to save “his people” today, both Jew and Gentile. Christmas was and still is for “his people.” 

Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. He is still Yeshua. He wants to rescue and save “his people.”