INTRODUCTION
Two ladies were having lunch in a five-star hotel. Now while they were both enjoying the meal, a mutual friend came up to them and inquired as to the reason for their celebration, to which one lady replied, “We are celebrating the birth of my baby boy.” “But where is he?” inquired the friend. “Oh,” said the mother, “you didn’t think I’d bring him, did you?” Now isn’t this a picture of the way the world treats Jesus at Christmas?
BACKGROUND
- Bible reading: Luke 2: 8 – 16
- Luke chapter 2 records for us the birth and boyhood of Jesus, including a description of the world into which Jesus was born.
- Now an Emperors decree had brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, so that the Messiah would be born in David’s hometown, which was the predicted birthplace of the Messiah in the Old Testament.
- Now there were some Shepherds watching over their flocks when they received an angelic announcementabout the Messiah’s birth.
- Generally, the birth of a King results in public revelry, and rejoicing; but, the birth of the Prince of Peace was made private, at midnight, without any worldly pomp and display.
- Now Shepherds in the 1st century were of very low social status, and it is interesting that the Good News was first announced to ordinary folk and not to the rich and famous.
- Luke states that soon after, the Shepherds come and see the child Jesus, and they found Him, as the angels had said.
THE MAD RUSH AT CHRISTMAS
16 And they came hastening (or, they hurried),
(So, they left running – MSG)
Now, as soon as the Shepherds heard that the Messiah was born, and soon after the choir of angels had withdrawninto heaven, the Shepherds talked it over, saying, let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can, and see for ourselves, what God has revealed to us. So, these Shepherds left their sheep behind, and with a sense of urgency, they hurried to see the Messiah for themselves. Sadly, every Christmas we become so busy and burdened
- Decorating the tree
- Completing the shopping list
- Attending the Christmas parties
- Baking the Christmas cake
- Writing Christmas cards
- Hurring to attend Christmas events
And it is possible that with Christmas almost here that you are already feeling overwhelmed in mind and exhaustedin body and empty in spirit, as there is so much work to do. And in the rush, instead of Christmas becoming “themost wonderful time of the year”, it becomes ‘the most stressful time of the year’, and we end up celebrating Christmas without Christ!
Now even though the endless Christmas activities we attend are intended to help us focus on Jesus, yet, Christmas exhaustion can make us lose sight of Jesus. Remember that Jesus was not in the temple in Jerusalem but in a stable, and at times, we can attend carol services, nativity plays, and Christmas parties in church, and still go home empty, because we ‘rushed in the wrong direction’.
So, just as the Shepherds hurried to be with Jesus at a stable, let us set and get our priorities right at Christmas. Let not work, family, and activities, go up on our priority scales, and Jesus, drop to the bottom.
- So, in our business, let us set aside some quiet time each day—especially to read God’s Word. As Mary pondered in her heart (Luke 2: 19), let us reflect on the meaning of Christmas.
- Let us also set aside some time to talk to Jesus in prayer and to enjoy His presence, even, if you feel downthis season. Mary and Joseph faced problems too that first Christmas:
- they were poor,
- among strangers,
- and had no place to stay,
but they had Jesus! Now we too can enjoy His presence by slowing down to spend time with Jesus at Christmas.
THE MAIN REASON FOR CHRISTMAS
and (they, that is the Shepherds) found (or discovered) both Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
The Shepherds who were informed that a Saviour had been born, found their way to the Baby Jesus. Have we found the way to Jesus at least at Christmas? For Christmas without Christ, is an empty tradition. So,
- If Christmas is all about the outer trimmings, such as a Christmas tree, and lights and decorations on the tree, we will fail to find Jesus!
- If Christmas is all about over-indulgence, – food, gifts and booze, we will fail to find Jesus!
- If Christmas is all about the over-spending, such as lavish parties, dinner dances and Christmas shopping, we will fail to find Jesus!
- If Christmas is all about over-demanding, our children too may fail to find Jesus!
One dad who used to spoil his daughter asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said a baby brother! Now to everyone’s surprise, the next Christmas she had her wish. Came the next Christmas and the dad repeated the question, to which his daughter said, ‘If it is not too uncomfortable for mummy, I would like a pony!’
Now the Greek word for ‘find’ implies ‘to find through diligent searching’. So, these Shepherds diligently searchedfor, and they found Mary, Joseph and the Child, and they worshipped Jesus. These Shepherds
- did not doubt,
- or question the angels,
- or think that it was improbable to find the Saviour in a stable.
- Nor did they hesitate to go and see for themselves.
Now some do not find Jesus, who can save them from their sin, because they are
- skeptics like Zachariah the father of John the Baptist and Thomas the disciple;
- or they do not find Jesus because they disbelieve or they ridicule the birth of Jesus.
However, these Shepherds, found Jesus, and returned to their homes, or went back to work, glorifying and praisingGod for everything they had heard and seen, because they had ‘believing eyes’. How will you who attend St. Andrew’s Christmas services return home after our services, and to work on Monday? Exhausted? Or excited? It is a lovely thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
THE MAGNIFICENT REALIZATION AT CHRISTMAS
(they found Him) lying in the manger (or, placed in a manger).
Now this shelter-less couple, had been given lodging in a stable, where these Shepherds found the child Jesus lying in a manger, which was a feeding trough for animals. The Shepherds would have been surprised as this was a strange and even sickening sight (the Savoiur in a food container for animals!). But this, was the specific sign they were told to look for, a babe lying in a manger. Today, we may not find Jesus
- in the family gatherings
- or in departmental stores
- or in five-star hotels!
But you will find Jesus, in the Bible. If you read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament, you will discover Jesus, and how He can take away your sins and mine! So, don’t read the Bible to learn facts, or history, or to receive instructions. Rather, read it to find Jesus, and may His Spirit unveil our eyes to see Him. And like the Shepherds, may you have an encounter and a permanent relationship with Jesus, for without Christ, there is no Christmas.