Is there anything Jewish about Christmas?
Many aspects of the Christmas story are deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, although today Jewish people typically do not celebrate Christmas. And not just because the events take place in the land of Israel. The context here is life of first-century Israelites, as both Yeshua and his family were Jewish.
Although the debate continues on when Jesus was actually born, let’s consider Christmas as a celebration of Jesus’ birth, regardless of the date. So, what’s so Jewish about Christmas?
Let’s just say, without the Jewish context, Christmas would not be the holiday we know!
Firstly, it reflects the Jewish understanding of God’s covenant. Secondly, it is after all the coming of the Messiah – who else knew about the Messiah if not the Jews? And thirdly, Jesus was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies—you guessed it, prophecies that were obviously Jewish.
Do Jewish People Celebrate Christmas?
While the Christmas holiday is not typically celebrated by Jewish people, some Jewish people who have come to know Jesus as Messiah develop a love for messianically-minded Christmas songs (many of which are written straight from the prophets’ foretelling of his birth in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6 and in Haggai 2:7, for example). Also, there are some intermarried families with a Jewish parent who embrace Christmas. Although, by and large, Jewish people do not celebrate or embrace the Christmas holiday. It is considered taboo, much like the person of Jesus himself.
The Jewish Setting of Christmas
I think everyone would agree that Bethlehem is a key element of the Christmas story. Do you think it was significant that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Couldn’t He just as well be born in Haifa or Beer Sheva? What difference would it make?
It is important to recognize that Jesus was born in Bethlehem because God wanted Him to be born there, not Augustus. Although it was the emperor who called the census and the law applied to everyone in the land, God’s design came before it.
The town of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, is significant in Jewish tradition. It is the hometown of King David, and the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) foretells that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage.
It was the prophet Micah (5:2) who prophesied, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.”
Both the Gospel of Matthew (1:1-17) and the Gospel of Luke (3:23-38) trace Jesus’ genealogy back to King David. This affirms that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah, who was to be a descendant of David.
Jewish Rituals and Customs in the Nativity
We should also recognize that all customs surrounding Jesus’ birth were strictly Jewish. Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly parents, weren’t trying to force Judaism on their baby – it was simply part of their own upbringing and the culture of the Bible.
Thus, according to Jewish law, male infants are circumcised on the eighth day after birth as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Luke 2:21 notes that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, highlighting his adherence to Jewish customs.
This act also connects Jesus to the original covenant God made with the Jewish people.
Later, the Gospel of Luke (2:22-38) recounts how Mary and Joseph, following Jewish law, brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem.
There were two reasons for it. It was for the ritual purification of Mary after childbirth, and for the presentation of the firstborn son to the Lord. (See Exodus 13:2 and Leviticus 12:6 for reference)
While at the Temple, an elderly man named Simeon and a prophetess named Anna both recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah. Their response is a clear reflection of the Jewish hope and expectation for the redemption of Israel.
The Messiah that the Prophets Foretold
Words of Anna and Simeon are steeped in Jewish prayers and prophecy. Simeon’s prayer acknowledges that he has finally seen the “salvation” of God, expressing the messianic hopes and expectations of his entire life.
Another Jewish theme central to the Christmas story is the prophecy of the virgin birth found in Isaiah 7:14. The prophet speaks of a sign from God: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” In the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew (1:22-23) identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy.
The are of course many more prophecies associated with the birth of Jesus, recorded for example in the books of Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah. Jewish people knew to look for signs of God’s plan for salvation and the coming of the Messiah. The Gospel writers knew these signs very well, that is why they emphasized that Jesus fulfilled these Jewish prophecies.
Jewish Symbols and Global Visitors in the Christmas Story
When we speak of visitors coming to see Jesus in Bethlehem, we should mention that angels play an important role as messengers of God in Jewish tradition. And as we all know, they are also essential to the Christmas story.
The major events were first announced to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-20) and then to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) by the angel Gabriel. Then the announcement reached Joseph, and after Jesus’ birth, the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).
Sometime later, we learn of the Magi, or wise men, who came from the East to worship Jesus. We don’t know how many of them arrived, but we do know they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh – gifts worthy of a king. They realize the magnitude of their discovery, that is why they first head for the king’s palace in Jerusalem.
Again, the idea of the Messiah as a king is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The gifts presented by the Magi symbolize the kingship of Jesus, a king who is not just an earthly ruler but also divine. Gifts from the Magi align with Jewish symbols of royalty, worship, and the anticipation of the Messiah’s mission.
Christmas: A Story of the Jewish Messiah
Throughout the Christmas story, many names and titles have profound Jewish significance. We use them as Christians on a regular basis, but do we understand what they mean? First and foremost, the name Jesus, though presented to us in its Greek form, is in fact a Hebrew name. Yeshua means “God saves” or “God is salvation.”
And today, we call Him Christ. But who is Christ if not the Messiah – the anointed One of God. Which means Emmanuel, “God with us”, first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Isaiah 7:14) emphasizing God’s presence with His people.
The simple concept of a Messiah who would become a deliverer of His people is strictly Jewish! And at the same time, it is central to the Christmas story.
Merry Jewish Christmas!
Throughout the Gospels, the title “Christ” (which, as we pointed out, is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah) is used to identify Jesus. This title was reserved for a future Jewish king who would restore Israel, defeat Israel’s enemies, and bring peace.
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior and King, we need to recognize where He came from. He was part of a real people. He fulfilled Jewish hopes by coming to earth and becoming the world’s redeemer. And that is the real meaning of Christmas.
Yeshua: The Hebrew Name of Jesus (ישוע) – Free PDF Download
What was the name that the disciples called Jesus? Yeshua! What did it mean to them, and what does it mean to us today?
Whether you’re just finding out about Hebrew words and how they can impact your faith, or you have been referring to Jesus by His Hebrew name for decades, we’ve created the perfect guide for you.
Get this PDF
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