Christmas is Worship
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction: Christmas isn’t just for Christians anymore. Nearly half of adult Americans report they personally know someone who doesn’t believe in God but will still celebrate the yuletide this year according to a survey of 1,001 people conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University. Significantly more people will set up a Christmas tree than will attend a worship service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. And Americans overwhelmingly believe the holiday has become less focused on the birth of Jesus than it used to be. "Historically, it has been a struggle for America to find meaningful holidays that include a sufficiently broad number of people. But Christmas seems to have many modes of interpretation upon which we can set our own personal needs," said University of Texas historian Penne Restad, author of the scholarly book Christmas in America: A History. "Christmas has become as much a celebration of community as it has a celebration of religion," she said. The survey asked if "you, personally, know anyone who does not believe in God but still celebrates Christmas?" 45% percent answered yes, 51% percent said no and 4% were undecided. "Sure I know people like that. I’m one of them," said New Yorker Ron Barrier, a leader of American Atheists, a 2,500-member national organization defending the rights and interests of atheists. "As a free thinker, I believe the holidays are a great tradition regardless of the underlying basis for them." It seems that today MOST AMERICANS ARE FINE WITH CHRISTMAS ALONG AS IT DOESN’T INCLUDE CHRIST! Countless people outside the Christian church are delighted to share in the festivities, family gatherings and practice of gift-giving, but when it comes to Jesus, that’s where they draw the line. With this view so prevalent in our culture, what it is that we see as we drive down the street? Amazingly, we observe all the peripheral trimmings of Christmas without much of the substance. Why? There is something quite threatening about the real meaning of Christmas to the unbelieving world. Oh, they seem to be fine if we stick to Santa, Rudolph and Frosty, but mention the advent of the Christ-child and conversations quickly turn to other things. I’m not totally sure I can explain this phenomenon, but if you’re okay with it, I’d like to take my best shot. So let’s spend the next few minutes this morning contrasting the way unbelievers and believers approach this very important day by looking at the examples from our text of King Herod and the Magi.
I. Three Observations Regarding the Unbelieving World’s Response to the 1st Christmas.
A. Some unbelievers’ are uncomfortable with the celebration of His birth (See Matthew 2:1-3). The word used in 2:3 to describe not only Herod’s response but also that of all Jerusalem is "disturbed." The word is most often associated with the emotional response of various parties to trying circumstances (For examples see John 11:33 and Matthew 14:26). Now we can all understand why Herod would not be excited to hear of the birth of the King of the Jews as he clearly saw Christ as a rival to be eliminated. But why would all of Jerusalem also be disturbed by the news? Well, at the time of the birth of Christ there existed an opinion predominant throughout the Middle East and in Judea particularly that a great person would soon make an appearance to deliver Israel from her enemies and take upon himself the rule of a vast empire. One Roman historian named Suetonius wrote, "An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the east, that the fates had decreed some to proceed from Judea, who should attain universal empire." The people living in and around Jerusalem could not have looked forward to a revolution that they had to know would be resisted with the full rage of Herod, a man known for treating people savagely. They feared that if the opinion were true, their world would change radically. Application: Many people today respond the same way. They’re okay with Christmas until you start talking about Jesus. The moment they recognize that their world might change and the comforts they’ve come to trust in be removed, they get very nervous.
B. Some unbelievers are unaware of the claims regarding His birth (See Matthew 2:4-6). Here the barrier is not an emotional one, but intellectual at its root. King Herod did not know the Scriptures. In one sense we can understand this because he was not a Jew, but a Roman appointed to rule the Jews. On the other hand, it would have served him well to have acquainted himself with the beliefs of the people he ruled. Had he been familiar with the Word of God, he would have realized several things:
1. His appointment to be king was itself a fulfillment of prophecy (See Genesis 49:10) regarding the Messiah.
2. The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (See Micah 5:2).
3. The star the magi saw was a sign to point the way to the Messiah (See Numbers 24:17).
Application: As we find ourselves in a society that is becoming more and more biblically illiterate, we must accept that many people simply don’t know what Christmas is all about! They know little about Jesus and certainly would be surprised to learn that we believe He is God in human flesh!
C. Some unbeliever’s are unwilling to respond properly to His birth (See Matthew 2:7-9, 12-13). It is possible to embrace the Christmas story both emotionally and intellectually and still find oneself on the outside of Christianity looking in. Herod clearly had a problem in this area as well. He had no intention of submitting to the Lordship of the true King of the Jews. Though he asked the magi to report back where the baby was, we know that his desire was not to worship the Christ-child, but to eliminate Him. And this he attempted to do when he realized that the magi had outwitted him having every male child under the age of two murdered to prevent the inevitable. Application: Now I doubt that there are too many people who would seek to negate the Christmas story by ridding the world of Christ as Herod sought to do, though there may be some. It seems to me that most unbelievers don’t deny Jesus, they just ignore Him. It is not enough to have warm feelings about the birth of Christ, or even to believe the Scriptures claims regarding it. We must respond to this truth by submitting to Jesus. Illustration: Too many Americans are like the woman, who typical of last minute Christmas shoppers, was running furiously from store to store. Suddenly she became aware that the pudgy little hand of her three year old son was no longer clutched in hers. In a panic she retraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. Hearing his mother’s near hysterical call, he turned and shouted with innocent glee: "Look mommy! It’s Jesus - baby Jesus in the hay." With obvious indifference to his joy and wonder, she impatiently jerked him away saying, "We don’t have time for that!"
II. Three Observations Regarding the Believing World’s Response to the 1st Christmas. The magi worshipped Christ. It was not only their intention (See 2:2). It was their experience as well (See 2:11).
A. Worshippers are eager to celebrate His birth (See Matthew 2:1-2). How eager? The magi were willing to travel with their entourage hundreds of miles over a period of 12-18 months to find the Christ-child. These men were likely astrologers who were well-respected within their communities. At great personal expense to them they left it all behind to follow His star. Illustration: What are Americans eager for? Fame and Fortune (American Idol). Application: I wonder how we, as worshippers, demonstrate to the Lord our eagerness to celebrate His birth. May I suggest one very simple way? Before you open your gifts this Christmas, read the Christmas story and spend some time in prayer as a family. Then when you’re done opening all the presents make plans to come and worship Him with your church family.
B. Worshippers are educated about His birth (See Matthew 2:2). This was certainly true of the wise men. Here’s what we know of them: The Jews believed that there were prophets in the kingdom of Saba and Arabia, who were descendents of Abraham by Keturah, his second wife (See Genesis 25). It was believed that they taught in the name of God, what they had received in tradition from the mouth of Abraham. It is reasonable to believe that many Jews were mixed with this people. There is room to believe that these eastern magi were originally of that class. Thus, knowing the promise of the Messiah, they patiently waited for centuries just like other believing Jews for the consolation of Israel. They knew what to expect! Application: This is the one of the main reasons why we take time out each year to preach on the first advent of Christ. We want people to be informed rather than ignorant about the Christ child.
C. Worshippers are evident by their response to His birth (See Matthew 2:10-11). The magi were compelled to worship Christ. The word literally means "to kiss toward." It is a way of showing respect and a willingness to submit to the one worshipped. They also presented Him with gifts. The people of the east never approached the presence of kings and great personages, without a present in their hands. This custom is often noticed in the Old Testament (See 2 Chronicles 9:9). They offered him the things which were most esteemed among them and which were found or produced in their own country. Application: What will you offer Christ this year as evidence of your response to His birth?
Conclusion: Well, there seem to be two completely different responses to the birth of our Lord. Some will go the way of King Herod, but it is my prayer, that you will go the way of the magi. Illustration: Years ago an interesting sign was seen hanging in a store window during the Christmas season. The message stated, “Let’s make this the best Christmas ever.” Underneath, some perceptive person had scribbled a legitimate question: “How will we top the first one?” These are two very different perspectives that proceed from very different assumptions about the 1st Christmas. What is your response to the birth of Christ?
