Missing the Big Story
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first flight in an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC.
The flight lasted 59 seconds and travelled 850 ft.
Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message home
WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 59 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!
Upon receiving the telegram their sister, Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine.
She informed him, they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview.
He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys.
On December 19th 1903, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper:
"WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS".
The most important story of the year was man’s flight –
and the editor missed it!
It is so easy to miss the story if we are not expecting it.
Every Christmas we remember those who met Jesus around the time of his birth, the Shepherds, Simeon, Hannah the prophetess and the Wise men.
But do we ever stop to think about THOSE who MISSED Him – God’s chosen one – Jesus.
Why, because they didn’t recognise God’s present to them. Because like the editor who didn’t expect the Wright brothers to fly, they weren’t expecting the Messiah to come – as a little baby
The first group who missed Jesus I’d like to look at is:
1. The Innkeeper and the Bethlehemites
2.
Inns in those days weren’t smart five star hotels.
They were a bit more like campsites - rough and ready with no running water!
We are told, by St Luke, that in 4BC - the year of Jesus’ birth - there were many travellers in Bethlehem because of the census.
Caesar Augustus, the big cheese of the day needed money so he imposed a tax.
And to ensure he got it all, everyone in Israel had to go and register for the census where they were born so that they could pay their taxes.
This meant that Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem.
As they had to walk - and pregnant women don’t travel quickly.
When they finally arrived at Bethlehem, the inn was full.
There was no room for them.
If the innkeeper had known who was going to be born that night - he would probably have found room in his inn.
But he was too busy and missed the boat - or should I say the Baby.
He was just too busy with running a business to recognize that this Baby was going to be the one who would save all of mankind.
The Bethlehemites also missed the baby because they were too busy with other things to notice one little baby - but WHAT a Baby.
Are you like the innkeeper and the townsfolk– too concerned what the world has to offer – job, cash - or lack of it and worldly ambition?
Or are you simply too busy to spend take time?
If so, can I suggest that this Christmas you stop and take stock of WHO this baby really is - and what he can offer.
The second group of people to miss Jesus’ birth was King Herod and his Court:
2. King Herod and his Court
The Wise Men knew a new king had been born - because a special star appeared to them in the East - which means that they travelled west to Jerusalem.
And St Mt records that they followed this star and landed up at Herod’s, asking where they can find this new king.
Actually it wasn’t a bright question because any king would feel threatened.
But Herod was no ordinary king. He was first and foremost paranoiac.
Caesar Augustus is once reputed to have said that he’d "rather be Herod’s pig than his son!"
And we know from history Herod killed at least one son and a wife - his favourite wife - for allegedly plotting against him.
So he wasn’t too excited to hear about a competitor being born.
In fact he was so upset that he ordered the murder of all baby boys under 2 years of age living in Bethlehem.
Herod and indeed his Court were scared of this new king - because they thought that they would lose their power and influence.
They missed the Baby because they were scared of what it might cost them.
There are many people who live today - people who are living like Herod and his Court.
They are not willing for Jesus to be crowned as King in their lives - and so they miss out on meeting the baby.
Do you need to allow Jesus the heavenly king to take the throne of your life this Christmas?
The last Group of people to miss Jesus’ birth were the
3. The High Priest and the religious leaders
The last person who missed Jesus was probably the one man who SHOULD HAVE met him – the High Priest.
In those days, the Jewish High Priest was seen as God’s representative on earth to the Jewish people.
Who was the High Priest.
Well in today’s parlance he would be similar to the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury rolled up into one.
The High Priest and the religious leaders knew all about the Messiah – who was Jesus - from prophecies in the Old Testament.
And that he was going to be born in Bethlehem.
But what did they do?
Once they heard the report of the Wise Men - did they go and check Bethlehem out - to see whether this special baby, God’s Son had been born?
No.
They missed the Son of God because of indifference.
They had the facts about the baby.
They knew how special he would be.
They knew he was the Messiah sent to save them.
They been waiting for him for 300 years – but perhaps the wait had become a tradition
But they didn’t really believe about the Messiah enough – or care enough -to find out more.
Many people today think in the same way as those religious leaders of Jesus day did.
To conclude:
- Some missed the baby because they are just too busy - but I’ve heard of no one on their death bed saying: I wish I’d spent more time in the Office.
- Some missed the baby because they feel threatened by him. They want to rule their own lives and they miss out on that wonderful relationship that Jesus offers.
- Some missed the baby because they are indifferent to who Jesus is - and to their own needs
This Christmas, let’s not miss the opportunity to make time to look for the greatest Christmas present of all – the baby who was born in a manger 2000 years ago.
His name was Jesus Christ and was and still is the Saviour of the world.
Because we cannot celebrate Christmas without remembering Easter too.
Jesus was crucified - on a Roman Cross - but after his crucifixion, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus is alive and can still be known today – if you care to seek him.
As the 80’s car sticker said: "Wise men still seek him"
How about you?
