“A SAVIOR IS BORN”
LUKE 2:4-7
Earlier, I read from Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus; but, there is more to tell. Allow me to give a brief overview of the Christmas story.
Joseph and Mary were a betrothed peasant couple living in the small town of Nazareth. Their lives were interrupted with unbelievable news. Mary would give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. An angel visited Mary, saying she had found favor with God and would bear a son conceived by the Holy Spirit. He would save His people from their sins.
Gabriel explained to Mary: He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. (Luke 1:32-33)
Mary’s exultation at being honored to bear the Messiah in her body is preserved by Luke: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49)
Uncertain of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph pondered his response. So, an angel told Joseph: Do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you shall call his name, Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)
A decree went out from Caesar Augustus for the world was to be taxed, requiring a census.
Since they were of the family of David, Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem but there was no room at the inn. Jesus was born in a place for sheltering animals without ceremony or formality or instantaneous worldwide news, Jesus’ birth went largely unnoticed throughout Israel and the Roman Empire. The announcement of Christ’s birth was made by angels to shepherds.
Magi traveled a great distance to bring gifts to the Christ child. A star guided them to Jesus. Yet, not all welcomed the Messiah; Herod sought to kill Jesus. So, the angel directed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt.
A church, in their Christmas musical, asked, “What did Joseph do the day after Christ was born?” Of course, the day Jesus was born saw Joseph helping Mary and the baby. But, what about the day after?
The play imagines since Joseph was a carpenter, he begins making a crib for Jesus. As he does, he thinks about the celebration the night before. “If they treated Him like this when He is just a baby, how will they treat Him when they find out He is the Son of God?” At that moment, the lights turn off, and in the darkness you hear a hammer hitting against the wood. They would nail Him to a cross as He gives His life for yours and mine.
The Bible says before the foundation of the world was laid, God planned for His Son to be slain for the sins of man. All through the Old Testament, prophecy after prophecy proclaimed the Messiah would come to be born, to live among us. He would be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This is the story of Christmas!
The Bible records four responses to the Christmas story. The INNKEEPER is never mentioned in the Bible, we simply assume there is an innkeeper since there was an inn. His response was one of preoccupation. Never had his inn been so full, the demands on his time so pressing. He was a busy man.
Unfortunately, we allow busyness to overtake our Christmas. It is so easy to fall into the trap of the innkeeper. We have become so busy and out of focus, other things have taken first place while God takes last place in our lives.
The SHEPHERDS were lower class people, the rejects of society. But, God reaches across social barriers to tell the shepherds, “I want you to be the first to know in the city of David a Savior has been born. You will be the first to see Him and to worship Him.” So, they leave their flocks and make their way to the manger.
The Father reaches down into our lives, rich or poor, male or female, red or yellow, black or white, young or old, and invites us to see the Savior. All who seek Him will find Him. No matter your burdens, your cares, your concerns, or your fears, the Lord is ready to embrace you.
HEROD’S response was one of fear. Fearful he would lose his throne, Herod killed his favorite wife and three of his sons. So when the magi came asking, Where is the king born of the Jews? Herod says to the Magi, When you find him, come back and tell me where he is so I may worship him, too. He was afraid of this new king, afraid he would lose the power and authority he had come to love.
We all struggle with fear as well. “If Jesus becomes Lord of my life and I crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords, how will it change me? I am afraid He will change the way I think and act. So, we respond like Herod because we are content with life as it is.
The MAGI lived hundreds of miles away. They were led by God’s illuminated star to the Christ child. Once they found Mary and Joseph, they worshipped Him and gave to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Your star may not appear in the sky. God mostly uses people as His stars to lead others to Jesus. My mother was the star God used to guide me to Jesus over 50 years ago. God might have placed me here today to be your star, pointing you to Jesus.
As a follower of Jesus, God wants to use you as His star. Who do you know in your universe who needs to be guided to Jesus? Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3) Take a starring role in leading people to Jesus!
How will you respond to Christmas when all of the decorations and lights are put away, when the wrapping paper has been thrown in the trash, when school has started, when you go back to work, when celebrating a new year suddenly becomes your next focus? How will you respond to Christmas from this day forward?
Do not become so busy, Christ takes a back seat as you go throughout your day. Move past your fears of how your life would be different if you put Christ first place. Like the shepherds, seek Christ and be the star which guides others to Christ.
