What is the Christmas story? People have argued about it for 2 millennia. And what is it purpose? A recent Newsweek poll found that although 84% of Americans call themselves Christians (at least nominally), and 82% say that Jesus is the Son of God - only 67% believe that the Christmas story is historically accurate.
Others are not convinced. Robert J. Miller, a member of The Jesus Seminar (a group that says it is searching for the historical Jesus but rejects the Bible and the supernatural) says that the "Nativity narratives can be seen as Christian responses to the birth stories of pagan heroes like Alexander the Great and Caesar Augustus - literary efforts depicting Jesus as a divine figure in a way Greco-Roman listeners and readers would understand and appreciate."
The tendency to make myth out of the birth of Jesus is a way to avoid dealing with the supernatural - and, ultimately, with our own sin, accountability to God and Jesus as the Lord of the universe and Savior of our souls.
Arguments are made that the Nativity was fabricated or at least pieced together and embellished by early church fathers - partly because it is not contained in the earliest and latest gospels of Mark and John, because the rest of the New Testament is silent on the details surrounding Jesus’ birth, and because the details in Matthew and Luke are so scant.
Add to that the controversy over exactly when Jesus was born - was it December 25th, January 6th, or sometime in April? By the way - since Jesus was likely born in 4 b.c. this year is 2,000 years since Jesus’ birth.
So its no wonder that we lose what may be the most astounding part of the Nativity story - and perhaps goes more to the reason why God chose to record it in this way.
To understand - consider the creation account in Genesis 1. Scholars and scientists have debated for a long time over the scientific accuracy of the creation - yet Genesis is not a science text book. Genealogists have argued over the breaks in family lines and other problems - yet Genesis is not a genealogy.
Genesis is God’s story of the salvation of man - in fact, the entire Bible is dedicated to that end - so too is the story of Jesus birth. I think we can glean a lot from the Nativity by looking 33 years down the road to His death, burial and resurrection.
Area Birth Death/Resurrection
What Jesus gave Gave up His place in heaven to be born a human (Phil 2:6-8) Gave up His freedom and life to die on a cross (Phil 2:6-8)
How He came Seed from God placed in Mary’s womb (Matt 1:20) Seed falls to the ground and dies (John 12:24)
Setting A cave in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7) A cave in Jerusalem (John 19:41)
Physically Helpless (placed in the manger) (Luke 2:7) Helpless (carried to the tomb) (John 19:38)
Resting Place Stone trough in a cave (Luke 2:7) Stone shelf in a cave (John 19:42)
Clothing Swaddling Clothes (Luke 2:7) Grave Clothes (John 19:40)
Entrance Miracle got Him here His mother’s womb (virgin birth Isaiah 7:14) Miracle brought Him to life out of the cave (resurrection Matt 28:6))
Accompanied by Alone coming into the earth Alone leaving the earth
Witnesses Angels & Shepherds (Luke 2:17) Angels & Soldiers (Matt 28:3,4)
1st person to see Him Mary (his mother Luke 2:7) Mary (his servant John 20:14)
End Result One life born Many come to life (Rom 5:17)
Announced by Angels ("unto to you is born this day ?" Luke 2:10) Angels ("why seek the living among the dead ?" Luke 24:5)
After the birth Learned men searched for a leader, saw a great light on the way, and worshiped at His feet (Matt 2:1) A learned man sought to destroy this leader, on the way he saw a blinding light and ended up worshipping and serving this King (Paul Acts 9:3)
1. At Christmas we should marvel at the birth, but don’t think of it as an isolated event.
We sometimes forget amidst the celebrating a birth and giving gifts and all that - that this didn’t happen in a vacuum - that God said after the birth of Jesus "Oh, well He made it - now what do I do with Him?"
How this should shape our Christmas: Sometimes Christmas is a lonely and depressing time as we remember family times we don’t have anymore - relationships that are broken or a life that is not like we would like it. Remember that God holds your life in the palm of His hand and nothing that happens is random - though often difficult.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
2. Jesus birth foreshadowed His death
God had the end in view from the moment of Jesus’ birth - and it’s possible that He laid pictures out for us to remind us that Jesus was always destined to die - He was not just a good man who got caught up in political and religious intrigue and God decided to use it to His advantage.
What is God foreshadowing in your life?
Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
How this should shape our Christmas: Remember that the gift Jesus’ gave us at the first Christmas didn’t stop being given until the cross.
3. God never does anything trivial or meaningless
Does God sweat over the details of your life? Yes.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
How this should shape our Christmas: Even the smallest thing you can do in kindness to another has meaning and can have eternal consequences.
Hebrews 13:2-3 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3
4. Whenever things seem helpless, remember that you are always in God’s arms
Jesus was in the care of Mary and Joseph - and ultimately the Lord shaping events and moving them about. At His death He was watched over by angels, and ultimately the Father who raised Him from the dead never to die again, and us along with Him.
How this should shape our Christmas: The holidays are actually among the most stressful times of the year. I would encourage us all to heed the words of Jesus:
Matthew 6:31-34 So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
John 10:27-29 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
5. Maybe in addition to "Merry Christmas" we should also say "Happy Resurrection"
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