The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Matt. 2:1-12
Christmas is a season of wonder. Someone expressed that wonder this way:
I am the Christmas Spirit—
I enter the home of poverty, causing pale faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser’s clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old glad way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets leaving behind hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears--tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been and pointing forward to good days yet to be.
I come softly into the still white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.
In a thousand ways, I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas Spirit.- E. C. Baird
One carol joyfully proclaims Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.” Sometimes, in the midst of the rush and worry that the world has added to Jesus’ birthday, it is not easy to keep an attitude of wonder and joy. But before we get too far into the season, let’s pause and remember why Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. To help do this, I want us to look back at the story of some men who traveled far from home to look for the King Whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas- a group of men known as the Magi. Their story is found in Mat. 2:1-12, where you and I can learn that:
I. Christmas is a time of expectation.
I. Christmas is a time of investigation.
II. Christmas is a time of celebration.
I. CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF EXPECTATION.
I came across a collection of letters that children wrote to Santa Claus. Some of them were pretty good. One said, "Dear Santa, there are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey; he is 2. There is David; he is 4. And there is Norman; he is 7. Jeffrey is good some of the time. David is good some of the time. But Norman is good all of the time. I am Norman."
Children know the wonder of Christmas as a time of expectation. So did the people of Jesus’ day.
Historians record that many people were expecting a special Person to be born around this time. Several Roman writers of that day, including Josephus, Tacitus, and Suetonius had predicted a great ruler would be born somewhere in Judea, and even some Jews had some expectation about a ruler that would be born then. But while these shadowy hopes could never focus on Who or What would come, one group of men found some concrete evidence in the appearance of a star.
The Wise Men, or Magi, mentioned in these verses are a mystery to many Bible scholars. Some say they were from Persia, Mesopotamia, or even Arabia. We know they were from the east, and we know they were Gentiles. William Barclay, in his commentary describes these Magi as men who were skilled in philosophy, medicine and natural science. They were known to interpret dreams, and study the natural world, including the stars, for clues to meaning in the universe. You could say that they were students of the God’s general revelation, just as the Psalmist:
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.
But then something unexpected happened. In the midst of their study of God sent a special revelation- they saw a star. (…we have seen His star in the east…)
We don’t know what kind of star it was. A lot of people try to explain what happened in scientific terms, but there is a much more important idea here you must not overlook- this star was meant to catch their attention. This star sent a clear message to anyone who took the time to look: something special is about to happen. They studied all of their books and charts’, looking everywhere to try and discover what was going on. They may have discovered some ancient words from the Hebrew Scriptures:
Numbers 24:17 “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
Somehow, these pagan scientists figure out God’s message: God’s King is about to be born in Bethlehem. They immediately make plans to make the long journey to greet the arrival of this wonderful newborn King.
Christmas is a time of wonderful expectation. What kind of expectations do you have this Christmas? Some people actually dread Christmas, because they remember all the stress, hurry, and worry that all too often threatens to drown out the wonder. We grow too old to remember what it was like to once expect something wonderful to happen. Maybe you’ve let past disappointments rob you of the sense of expectation at what God is doing today.
Christmas is a reminder that you and I can still expect God to do wonderful things today! He is still calling out for wise men and women, boys and girls, to believe that He will do amazing things when we live with an expectant faith.
Did you hear about the foolish, foolish husband, who asked his wife what she wanted for Christmas, and she replied, “Oh, just surprise me!” On Christmas Eve when she woke from her sleep, he yelled, “BOO!”
Look around you, my friends: God is working in this world! God is working in your life. He is speaking to us every day, if we will only listen. How many wonders will you miss today because you didn’t take time to look? Anyone and everyone could have seen that star, but only those who were looking expectantly saw it and experienced the wonder of Christmas. God’s blessing. Be on the lookout for God at work in your life, and you will find Him. But Christmas is not only a time of expectation- it is a time of investigation.
II. CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF INVESTIGATION
This time of year can be hard on those of us who are curious. We may find out more than we want to know.
A cartoon shows Dennis the Menace rushing into the room, his mother standing with her mouth open, and he says, holding a big box in his hand, “We’d better tell Santa Claus to forget about the train set I asked for. I just found one on the top shelf of Dad’s closet.”
These wise men were also of a curious nature. God was doing something special, and they did not want to miss it. So they leave home, and travel hundred, or even thousands of miles, through desert terrain, risking their very lives (not to mention the treasure they bore) just to come and personally welcome this king to our world.
They left their family and friends. They left their high positions, and riches and comfort. With so many unanswered questions (including exactly where is this baby?) they left, like Abraham, not knowing where they were going. Yet something inside told them that their journey would not be in vain. Somehow, all of this trouble and difficulty would be worth the journey.
Matt. 2:1-2 …wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”…
They follow the star to Jerusalem, where no one seems to know anything about this newborn king. Their questions produce anxiety among the people- especially King Herod. He has no desire to give up his throne for a newborn King- even if God sent Him. After a frantic search through the OT scriptures, some scribes discover a vague reference to the tiny village of Bethlehem. That doesn’t give the Magi much to go on, but they do go on. They have to finish this journey. Their questions half-answered, not sure what will happen, yet still they cannot abandon the search until they have found the King. When they find Him, they will find the answers to their questions.
Have you got any questions you need answered this Christmas?
Maybe your question is really basic: why do so many people make a big deal out of Christmas? Why don’t I feel that joy or peace I am supposed to feel? How can I get back that joy I once had about Jesus? How can I find joy when my life seems so hard right now? The answer to all of these questions are not always easy to answer. You might need to do like these Wise Men did- you might need to make Christmas a time of wonderful investigation. You might need to take your own journey- ask a few of your own questions about your relationship to God, and to the baby that was born in that manger. You might need to ask some questions about what is most important in life- is it really the presents, the material things, or is there something more? What if this is my last Christmas I will ever enjoy on earth? Am I ready for what comes after this life?
Whatever your questions this Christmas, let me suggest that you pursue the wonder of investigating the answers, and then let me assure you that you will find the answer to all your questions in the Christmas manger, where the holy Child Who lays there will one day grow up and declare:
Jn 14:6 … “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Christmas is a time of wonderful expectation, investigation, and also
III. CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION
Banks never seem to get totally into the holiday spirit. My bank sent me a card that said, “Have a Happy Holiday. If You Are Already Having A Happy Holiday, Please Disregard This Notice.”
These men were headed for a real celebration. While the Wise Men had been in Jerusalem, the star had disappeared. Once they left wicked King Herod, it reappeared and they were overjoyed! They would soon see the King! The star traveled just ahead of them, beckoning for them to continue their journey. About 10 miles later, they entered the tiny village of Bethlehem. There in those muddy streets, with poverty-stricken faces watching, this caravan of wealthy Magi rode into town, waiting for the light to show them where to stop. Is this the place for a mighty King to be born? Were these the people God chose to witness this wonderful event? Whispers rustle just behind closed doors and windows: Who are these men? What do they want? Who are they looking for?
The star finally stops above a plain, humble house. Somebody gets off the camel and knocks on the door. A carpenter answers, surprised to see such guests. What can I do for you? he asks. They look at him with wonder and joy, and reply, We have come to worship Him.
Almost in shock, Joseph opens the door. As the strangers enter the house, they see a young lady, with a small baby in her arms. Was she startled at the visitors? Maybe Joseph sits by her, silently assuring her that it’s all right. Then she pulls back the cloth, and they see Him.
The Magi stand for a moment, lost in awe of this baby King. He is why God sent the star. He is why they have traveled so far. To everyone else in the community He’s just another mouth to feed, but to these men, He is a King worth celebrating. They unwrap their gifts, bow before Him, and offer the best they have to the King Who is worth more than all of the treasure in the world. They bow before this little boy because He is worthy of worship.
Musician Michael Card, known for writing the song, “El Shaddai” once wrote: All we could ever imagine, could ever hope for, He is. ... He is the Prince of Peace whose first coming has already transformed society but whose second coming will forever establish justice and righteousness. All this, and infinitely more, alive in an impoverished baby in a barn. That is what Christmas means--to find in a place where you would least expect to find anything you want, everything you could ever want.
Ga 4:4-7 4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Friends that is something to celebrate. The Bible says that when you and I were headed for hell, with no chance of ever getting to heaven, just in time God sent His Son to live and die so you could become a forgiven child of God. Because Jesus was born, died on the Cross, and rose again, you have the Holy Spirit living in you, assuring you that God is your loving Heavenly Father. Because of the wonderful Savior, you are an heir to all the good things that God has in store for you. C. S. Lewis put it this way:
The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God. - C S. Lewis in Mere Christianity.
If that doesn’t give you a reason to celebrate Christmas, then you’ve been sucking too many lemons and eating too many dill pickles!
The wonder of Christmas is that God sent His Son to be born to die for your sins, so that when you believe in Him you will live forever. That is why Christians celebrate Christmas. The rest of the world borrowed the idea of giving presents from the Wise Men, and there’s nothing wrong with giving gifts. Just don’t forget that God gave us the greatest gift, and that we ought to follow the example of the Magi, not just by giving gifts to one another, but giving to our Savior and King what He wants most this Christmas- you.
You see, of all the things in this universe that Jesus wants to have most of all, you are the one thing He is willing to die for. He wants you to celebrate Christmas- to celebrate every day- by giving your life to Him, afresh and anew.
He wants all of you- all of your heart, all of your mind, all of your possessions and passions. That is worth more to Him than all of the gold, or frankincense, or myrrh in the world. If you want to truly know what it is to celebrate Christmas with peace and joy, it is just one step away- the step of surrender.
Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man--His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God--when we present our bodies a living sacrifice. -- Vance Havner
Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
After unwrapping all of her presents, a little girl was asked, "Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?" She thought for a moment and said, "No. But then, it’s not my birthday."
Friend, does Jesus have all of you today? Have you given Him your life- heart, mind, body, and soul? Only when He has all of you can He make you the wonderful blessing He means for you to be. That is how you can enjoy Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year- when you spend it in the presence of the Lord.
Can This Be Christmas?
So this is Christmas, do you say?
But where is Christ this Christmas day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?
No. He’s not here—you’ll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.
I’m tired of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;
I’ll go instead to Calvary.
And there I’ll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the Christ—this Christmas.
-M.R. DeHaan, M.D., Founder, Radio Bible Class
