Christmas - The Greatest Gift “Whoever invented Christmas should be shot”. Said someone just four days before Christmas. It was in Tesco’s the queues at each checkout were horrendous. There were still presents and food to buy and so many other things had to be done. It is an experience that affects us all and haven’t we often asked ourselves is it all worth it?
It has to be said that the celebration of Christmas does bring many problems with it. Everyone seems to be totally stressed out and, sadly, statistics show that stress can lead to a number of tragic incidents. It is all too commercial, too materialist, too much.
It is sad that this is so because there are many things about Christmas that are beneficial. It is good to be able to give presents to others and to see the real sense of delight and appreciation when the presents are unwrapped. It is good that families are able to get together. It is good to share in the sense of anticipation and excitement particularly that shown by children and I suspect finds an echo in each of our hearts to.
But good as all these things are they all pale into insignificance when we consider what the reality of Christmas is. The problem, perhaps, is that we find it difficult to breakthrough all that is going on and reflect on the amazing truth that lies behind it.
The truth of Christmas is truly amazing it is absolutely incredible that it should ever have taken place and we need to keep this at the forefront of our minds for to lose sight of it would be so tragic.
The birth of Jesus Christ confirms for us the reliability and truth of the Bible. It was no chance event but clearly part of God’s great plan of redemption. In the Old Testament there are many prophecies speaking of the coming of Jesus Christ. Even in the judgement that God pronounced when man first sinned there is the promise that the saviour will come (Genesis 3v15). The promise is repeated and more detail given as time goes on. His miraculous conception (Isaiah7v14), his rule and dominion, the gracious gift of God (Isaiah 9v6,7), the very place of his birth (Micah 5v2). We have seen these prophecies being fulfilled in every detail and that gives us the confidence that all other prophecies will also be fulfilled. We can rely absolutely on the reliability, truth and authority of God’s word.
In the birth of Jesus and all that surrounded it we see the faithful trust and commitment of those who fully believed God’s promise. Shepherds were gathered on the hills just outside Bethlehem, this was a normal event but that night was to be totally different. We know nothing about the Shepherds but I’m sure that is right to say that they were faithful men of God and did believe his promises. Without warning an angel appeared, they were terrified, he told them of the birth of Jesus and then the whole the sky was filled with angels praising God. They immediately rushed off to Bethlehem to see this wondrous child, some suggest that they left one of their number behind to look after the sheep I don’t think so. I believe that the sheep were the least of their worries they just wanted to see Jesus. Having seen him they returned glorifying and praising God.
After his birth Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple an old man Simeon entered the temple at the same time. God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Having seen the baby Jesus he says “Lord now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation”. (Luke 2v29) There could be no greater experience for him on earth.
Some 18 months to 2 years later men of influence and wealth arrived at the house where Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living. We don’t know exactly where they came from except it would appear to be some distance from Bethlehem. We don’t know who they were, how many they were. All we know is that they followed a unique star, they were clearly seeking the Messiah and although they were men of high standing on entering the house they worshipped the young child and gave gifts to him.
I find that the most interesting individuals in all this are Joseph and Mary. A young couple in love, eagerly anticipating their wedding and married life together. The first step of engagement had taken place and they were totally committed to each other. It goes without saying that they were both very godly young people with a deep belief in and commitment to the promises that God had made. With our Protestant heritage we tend to neglect Mary as a response to the position she has been given by Roman Catholics and others. It is sad that this is so as there is so much that we can learn from Mary. The angel addressed her as the one who is highly favoured (Luke 1v28), that is highly favoured by God. The angel continued with his message and told that she will become pregnant, the child she is to give birth to was to be conceived by the Holy Spirit. This unique and wonderful miracle is to take place in her. She submits totally to what God has said by saying “I am the Lord’s servant, might be to me as you have said”. (Luke 1v38) She was a truly remarkable young woman
Joseph believed that she was in love with someone else and was quite willing let her go and planned to do in the most compassionate way possible. But this was not to be so, the angel made it clear to Joseph that the child Mary was to have was conceived of the Holy Spirit he is to take her as his wife and care for her as he ought. He was told what name he should give the child “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”. (Matthew 1v21)
The reality of Christmas reveals to us something of the amazing nature of God’s grace. John puts it so simply and so profoundly in the opening verses of his gospel. The Word who is fully God is the same Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ the glorious second person of the Trinity laid aside his glory took our flesh and nature lived and ministered among us and then went willingly to the cross where he died instead of us, taking the punishment that is ours. He rose from the dead ascended again into heaven and is now sat down at the father’s right hand until his return again in the full splendour of his glory.
It is impossible for us to really put into words what it means for Jesus to come into this world as he did. The Lord of all creation is born in a stable placed in a manger because there no room elsewhere. Most in Bethlehem that night didn’t even know and if they did they probably didn’t care. There were so many other important matters to attend to. Things have not changed Christmas is so busy so much has to be done to really care that God has come to us. A greater tragedy is that so many who profess to be believers find that Christmas is such that our enjoyment can so easy blot out the wonder of Christ’s birth. It so easy to relegate him to the stable whilst we pursue our pleasure in the rest of ‘Bethlehem’.
I trust that yours will be a truly happy Christmas might we, with Paul, say “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift”.(2 Corinthians 9v15)
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