A Christmas Story

In the book of Daniel, Daniel (of lion's den fame) asks God (in prayer) how much longer Israel would be in captivity.
He was thinking of the prophecy of Jeremiah, that Israel would be in captivity for 70 years (referred to as "days"), and Daniel knew that the end of the 70 years was close, yet their freedom looked no closer.
God sends an angel to speak to Daniel in response to Daniel's question about the 70 "days", and instead, the angel speaks of 70 "weeks" (actually the word means "groups of seven").

Daniel 9:24
King James Version
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Daniel was not being told when Israel would be set free from Babylon, but when all men would be set free from the oppressiveness of sin.

490 years from the giving of that prophecy, Messiah would come!

This is why John the Baptist was paid such attention to! He was the herald of the Coming King!

This is why the "Wise Men" of the East knew enough to be watching the skies in anticipation of that Coming King!

The birth of Jesus took place at the time that Daniel had been told.

If you think it was a con job, that Daniel is a forgery, remember that the famous Dead Sea Scrolls contained a copy of the Book of Daniel and were sealed hundreds of years before the Birth of Christ!

We celebrate, not a fat jolly man giving gifts to children.

We celebrate the Coming of the Redeemer of all mankind!

May you and your family and friends enjoy all the blessings that God provides.

Merry Christmas.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.