The "Christmas Story" is one of the most remembered and by far the most
told of any other story in human history. Not only does this story
reveal the birth of Christ the Lord, but a closer look reveals the
movement of creation itself in bringing forth the Savior. It is the
Gospel according to Matthew and Luke that uncover the events of the
"Christmas Story." So as we look at these events, we will see the
infinite wisdom and love of God at work in human history for only one
reason, "to open their (humanity) eyes, in order to turn them
from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they
may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are
sanctified by faith in Me.' (Acts 26:18)
In Luke 1:5-25 we see a priest named Zacharias chosen to minister before
the Lord in the temple in the form of burning incenses. His wife's name
was Elizabeth and they were both descendants of Aaron, Moses' brother
and first Priest chosen by God along with his sons. (Exodus 4:14, 28:1)
Zacharias was a praying man and his prayers were heard. The angel of
the Lord, Gabriel was sent to give him the good news concerning what was
about to break forth into human history. However, we see that Zacharias
first response was doubt. Like Zacharias, we too can get so caught up
in doing our regimented Christians duties or building our own personal
kingdoms, that we miss what God is about to do. Then when God reveals to
us His plan we again like Zacharias do not believe. I believe that most
Christians today struggle with a lack of faith for
the very same reason. They pray, look for God, but when He reveals
Himself doubt enters and they forget the very things that they were
praying for. Most often, God revealed Himself His way not their way.
Although, Zacharias doubted God's Word, what the angel had spoken still
came to pass.
Next, Luke 1:26-38 records another miraculous event happening. The same
angel, Gabriel appears to a virgin woman whose name is Mary who was
betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph. He reveals that she is “highly favored" by God and "blessed among women"
and that it would be Mary who would be used by God to bring forth the
One who would be the Deliverer. Mary questions Gabriel, but his answer
should cause believers to see God for who He really is, "For with God nothing will be impossible." This is an important key to having prayer answered as well as living a victorious life. Jesus says it this way, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23) Not only are all things possible with God but He makes all thing possible to all believers who exercises faith. It is very apparent that Mary believed Gabriel's report, "Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her."
Although we see Mary exercising faith for the impossible, we see a
different picture with Joseph, her betrothed. Again, we see doubt take
the place of faith. (Matthew 1:19) However, we do see an angel of the
Lord appear to Joseph in a dream explaining the situation to him, which
caused Joseph to respond to what the angel had spoken. (Matthew 1:20-25)
You may be thinking, "Well getting the news that your wife is with
child and you have had nothing to do with it certainly would cause one
to doubt." This may be somewhat true, but remember Zacharias had a
visitation of an angel of the Lord but he still doubted. Also, Matthew
records that Joseph was a "just man' which means, "justly, righteously,
in accordance with what is right."So we have to assume that for Joseph
to have this type of character, that he attended synagogue and or was
versed in the the scriptures. If so he had available to him what was
spoken by Isaiah the prophet, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give
you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall
call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) But isn't that the problem
that the children of God have struggled with then and still struggle
with today? For most believers, although we have the Word of God
recorded in what we call the Bible, many still chose to look at the
circumstances in the natural like Zacharias and Joseph and entertain
doubt rather than faith in a faithful God, "that what He has promised He is also able to perform." (Romans
4:21) Although it appears that Joseph had some doubts, he still
responded to the command of the angel to take Mary as his wife.
The incredible events continue to unfold. Luke 2:1-7 records that not
even Caesar Augustus the top official of the human government at that
time could do nothing more than to bring the prophetic Word of God
spoken 700 years prior through Micah to pass, "But you, Bethlehem
Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out
of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose
goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) Joseph
following the orders of the government, made his way with Mary to the
very town where Christ was to be born, Bethlehem.
Finally, Luke 2:8-20 shows us the culmination of the events of the birth
of Christ. Again, an angel of the Lord appears. This time to "shepherds living out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." It is recorded that the"angel stood before them and the glory of the Lord shown around them" and the angel reported the most incredible event to date in the history of humanity, "For
there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe
wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." Once the angel gave this report "suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God
and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!" Not only were the people of the earth moved to be
participants in the ingenious plan of God (whether they knew it or not)
but even the angels of God rejoiced. Think about that. The angels of God
who are spirit beings were excited for humanity that now the plan of
God was manifested for the salvation of humanity. Deity and humanity has
now come together as Jesus Christ the Lord.
We all should see Christmas as a time for great rejoicing. A is new
birth. A new birth in our love towards God and toward one another. A new
birth in dedicating our lives to His service. Christmas not New Years
should be a catalyst for change, hope and increased faith.
A great expectation of what God can and will do through those who
believe. For some, maybe we need to see Christmas through the eyes of
three wealthy wise men who left their nation and traveled a great
distance to behold an infant King. Three men who apparently exercised
faith having only the knowledge of ancient writings and a star that
guided their way. Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, it's
about the complete redemption of humanity. We should celebrate Christmas
as one of the two greatest moves of God in human history. That baby,
the Christ, had come into the world to save humanity from Satan's power,
to reconcile God to man and man to God for us to have "life and to have it more abundantly." So, as the song goes, "JOY to the world, the LORD is come!" Have a wonderful and very "MERRY CHRISTMAS."
Monday, December 20, 2021
Unto Us A Savior is Born
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