The Christian tradition is marked by two great periods based on events in the life of Jesus. The central commemorations are related to the redemptive acts at Holy Week and Easter; the second period centers on Christmas. Christmas and Holy Week/Easter Sunday bring the same Gospel message in different ways.
The church calendar associates many meaningful and beautiful passages of Scripture with the birth of Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who came to earth as a human infant. There are numerous Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. There are epistle readings such as Hebrews 1, Titus 2, and Galatians 4. And of course, there are the Gospel accounts from Matthew, Luke, and John. Each of these Gospels has its own beauty and deep significance. One can say that Matthew 1& 2 focus on Joseph's perspective, that Luke 1& 2 reflect the point of view of the Virgin Mary, and that John 1 emphasizes the timeless theological meaning.
All these Scriptures complement one another and provide believers with a broad vista for meditating on the meaning of Christ's Birth. They help us move beyond the beautiful but simplistic imagery of a childhood pageant, and they provide deep nourishment for heart, mind, and soul. They teach us the truth that Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, "came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" for us and for our salvation (Nicene Creed). In other words, Scripture teaches us that Christmas is about more than a family festival or the birth of a great man; it is about our eternal salvation. That spiritual reality is where we need to put our emphasis, not merely for a few moments on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, but for twelve days and more!
Alleluia. Unto us a child is born; * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. (Christmas Antiphon for Morning Prayer, 1928 Book of Common Prayer.)
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