THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS
SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38, 39-45, 46-56; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7, 8-17
MAIN THEME: Whenever we think of the birth of Christ, we need to look at what happened prior to his birth. We need to realize that had God not chosen these two people to be seen as the parents of Jesus (though Joseph was not Jesus’ Father), then this situation could have been disastrous. However, we need to know that God is Omniscient, which means that in this case, He knew how the two of them would react, and that they were the perfect selection by God to be the home in which Jesus would be born.
- The background of Mary’s (Luke 26-38,56)
Mary was a descendant of King David, and we see her genealogy in Luke 3:23-38, going all the way back to Adam. We know that she was espoused (engaged, though contractually, just as binding as marriage would be) to Joseph, who also was of the lineage (genealogy) of King David. Why did God select this Jewish young lady, one could only imagine. However, when we look into the Scriptures concerning her, that we see in the Bible, I think we can see the character of this young woman that gives us an idea of why she may have been the one chosen. Chosen to not only give birth to Jesus, but the one in whose home he would grow up in. Some things of note concerning Mary. To begin with, had she been found out to be pregnant by anyone other than Joseph first in Nazareth, she would have been stoned, because of the Jewish law. However, even knowing the possibility of this, Mary loved God so much that she placed her life was placed into His hands. That’s an important thing about Mary that is true of all should be true of God’s children, because at salvation, and for the remainder of our lives, we are placing our lives in the hands of God. However, we were not in the situation of Mary was at the time, for to be found pregnant prior to marriage was downright deadly unless it was to the one she was to marry, and they immediately got married, which Joseph and Mary did. Yet we see that her love for God was the most important thing in her life, and her desire was to please God. Therefore we see her becoming a woman whom all would know when speaking of Christmas, because she had such an important part in the birth of Jesus, God in the flesh, taking on a body of flesh, and humbly coming into this world as a little child. A song that we sing that most will know, “Away in a Manger”, has a line in it that says, “no crying he makes”. It may sound good, but it would be inaccurate. Jesus laid his Divinity aside when he came to this earth, and at this time, was a baby. If you have ever been a mother or a father, then you know that crying is a way that the baby communicates, for crying means either the baby needs changing, the baby is hungry, or the baby is sick (Lord willing not from Colic). Therefore, Jesus definitely cried. Next we see that she was concerned for others, as she went to see her cousin Elizabeth, who at that time was six months pregnant with a baby herself (even though she was considered past the age to give birth to a child, because she was an older woman). The child she would give birth to would also have something to do with Mary’s child, Jesus, as John the Baptist would some thirty years later baptize Jesus. This trip Mary did not have to make, but she did. Why? Possibly to see that Gabriel’s word to her about Elizabeth’s pregnancy was true, or even to help Elizabeth in any way that she could. Some three months later Mary returns to Nazareth, with a meeting that could not be avoided, one with her espoused husband, Joseph. She did not know how he would respond, but it stands to reason that since she had trusted God to this point, there would be little doubt that she would allow God to take care of Joseph, once he knew how her pregnancy came about.
- The background of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25)
Joseph was a carpenter. He also was a descendant of King David also, Israel’s greatest King of the past. He was espoused to Mary, and no doubt was ready for them to begin their life together. He had to be a God-fearing, and God-loving man, for it was in his home that Jesus would be raised. It has been said that we “raise” children, but I like another saying that I have heard, “we are not just raising children, we are teaching adults.” And our children will soon be, quicker than one realizes when holding that newborn child in your arms for the first time. Jesus was to be born into a family that would teach Jesus by their own lifestyle godly standards, and it was no doubt an honor for both Mary and Joseph to be the ones whom God had chosen. Mary had been gone for three months. He understood Mary’s love for her cousin, and had no problem with her going to see her. As we have all heard, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”, and the day Mary returned was no doubt a great day Joseph had been looking forward to. But there was a problem. One can only imagine how Mary told him. Possibly, “Joseph, sit down”, or possibly, “Joseph, maybe you should lay down, I have something very important to tell you”. Regardless of how she told Joseph, and there is no doubt that is how he found out about the pregnancy, because had it been someone else, she could have been stoned. Once he heard her explanation, he was probably dumbfounded. His wife had been gone for three months, comes back pregnant, and says that an angel called Gabriel told her that the power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, and that which would be in her womb would be the Son of God. Joseph’s first reaction, just guessing mind you, was that probably she has lost her mind. Does she really think I am going to believe such an explanation. I know I have an open mind, but my brains haven’t fallen out yet.” He probably told Mary he didn’t know what to believe, and that he needed some time. Joseph loved Mary, and didn’t want her to be harmed, so he considered a private divorce between him and Mary, and probably laid down and fell asleep. Then, while sleeping, Gabriel appears to Joseph in a dream, telling him that what Mary had told him was the truth, that he would name the child “JESUS”, and that he would “save his people from their sins.”(Matthew 1:21) Something very important to remember is found in Matthew 1:23, as we are told that Joseph was told also, “and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Can you imagine how Joseph, after this dream, wakes up, and goes straight to Mary, and tells her what God had made known to him. His heart is rejoicing now, with no more doubts about Mary’s explanation of her pregnancy, and he immediately takes her as his wife. However, an important thing concerning Joseph we see in the Scripture is found in Matthew 1:25, “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” We first see that Joseph did not have any sexual relationship with Mary until after Jesus was born. We know that these two had other children afterward, at least five, three brothers and two or more sisters, for the Scriptures tells us this in Mark 6:3. So we see how he both honored the child in the womb of Mary, and how he honored God, not only by his waiting to be one with Mary, which was his right by Scripture (1 Corinthians 7:1-5), but he also named the child, which was his responsibility, the name JESUS, just as he had been told to do. He therefore shows great respect towards the Word of God, which is a lesson that we could all learn from.
- The birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7)
We would think, knowing Who Jesus Is, that God The Father, would have His Son born in the best of places, but not considering what others would think, Gods ways and thoughts being much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-11), brought His Son into the world in such a way and place that it had a specific meaning. You see, all that God does has a divine purpose behind it. Jesus could have been born anywhere, but he was born in a stable, a place for horses, or one might say a place for barn animals. Yes, one can only say that God does things in ways that confound the wise. Why was Jesus born in the stable? Because there was no place in the inn (Luke 2:7). You may say why is that important? I would say that because of what we see happen that night in Bethlehem (which means “house of bread”, and we see Jesus, “the Bread of Life”(John 6:33, 35; 6:48). We see that what we really need is This “Living Bread” (John 6:51), which will sustain us in this life, giving us true meaning to the word “life”, to really live with a purpose, regardless of our circumstances. Secondly, He was laid in a manger, which again tells us what we have just said. However, most importantly, we read that “there was no place in the inn” (Luke 2:7), “because there was no room for them in the inn.” You may be wondering why are these words so important? Today, tonight, or whenever you read this, know that even now Jesus is asking you the same question, “Is there room in your heart for me” (Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Just as that first Christmas was important to those who really knew what was really happening, it can also be for you right now.
- The coming of the shepherds (Luke 2:8-17)
The shepherds were not considered the most important people in the region, and would have been the last ones that people living at that time God would choose to reveal about the birth of His Son. Yet that is exactly what happened. You can read what happened in Luke 2:8-17. Why did God choose these shepherds? They were after all simple men doing what was their responsibility. Just as we all can’t do what some would call the important jobs in life, people take that mindset to place themselves over others. God was teaching us all by telling these shepherds that He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), that everyone is just as important as the other person. It doesn’t matter friend if you feel like of all people, you are the lowest, just remember that my God has long arms, and can reach anyone who calls out to Him. The first thing one must call for is to tell Him that we believe His Word, that His Son Jesus came to this earth just as we have just seen, that He lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), that He died for our sins (Romans 3:21-26; 1 John 3:5), and that to accept Him as Saviour, for remember that we read in Matthew 1:21, God told us, “for he shall save his people from their sins.” That means past, present, and future sins. Jesus came to give us “eternal life”, and God told us that this is why Jesus came (John 3:16-17), but if one doesn’t believe, then they are condemned because they are calling God, Who cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2), a liar (John 3:18-19). This Christmas, Jesus is ready for you to receive the greatest gift that one could ever have (Romans 6:23). You must also take notice to the first portion of Romans 6:23 also however, for it says “the wages of sin is death.” You can read about this death in Revelation 20:11-15. Right now you have a choice to make if you have read these words. You can choose to receive the GIFT that will always keep giving, which is JESUS, or you can reject the Gift God is offering you right now. Keep in mind the words found in James 4:14, “Whereas ye know not what shall be one the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” We have no promise of tomorrow, in fact, we only have “right now”. I have seen many die unexpectedly, and I am sure most of you have as well. Either one of us could be next. This could be my last time to warn everyone that to fail to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour is to reject Him, and as a consequence of your choice, not the choice of God, you will end first in hell, then into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). God will never send anyone to hell, for it was created only for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). However, people will go to that place of torment (Luke 16:19-31, Isaiah 5:14). The choice is yours, as I have heard some say, when we think of Christmas, when speaking of your eternal destiny, and your soul will never die, for God breathed into your nostrils the breath of life, and “man became a living soul.”(Genesis 2:7). Therefore, as I was about to say, the choice is yours, “smoking or non-smoking”. May you make the right choice, so that all of your Christmas days forever are “Merry”.
ONE LAST WORD: You may ask, “What about the Kings, why haven’t I mentioned them? It’s because they were not present at the birth of Christ. Lord willing, I will post what you need to know about “When and why did the Kings come?