I guess every year there are people who re-study, re-think and re-imagine the Nativity.
I have that opportunity this year - at least to a small degree. Here are some thoughts that have come out of reading & prep for a message on the meaning of Christmas that I am preparing (many of these - if not most - come from David Jeremiah’s book, “The Nativity.”):
* More than 300 specific prophecies are in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) about the promised Messiah.
* The odds of one person fulfilling 60 prophecies is said to be 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 or 1x10 to the 157th power.
* The great problem of sin was resolved with the first step of God becoming a man. God in disguise as it were. Planted in the womb of a young woman still a virgin. The Creator among His creation as one of His own creatures.
* Have we considered the impact of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary of her impending pregnancy - by the Holy Spirit? Here she is in the throes of preparations for a wedding. She’s dreaming of becoming Joseph’s wife, joining his family, becoming - eventually - a mother and raising children with her husband. All of a sudden, she receives the news that she will be pregnant BEFORE the wedding and it won’t be Joseph’s baby - it will be GOD’S baby. Mom, Dad, how would you react to your daughter’s news of this sort? Men, what would be your reaction if your beloved came to you during your engagement and told you that she is pregnant - with God’s baby?
* I love Mary’s response: “My soul magnifies the Lord! I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me.” WOW! I’m not so sure that I would have responded so calmly. I guess that’s one reason why the Lord chose Mary and not me - not to mention that I’m male and that, indeed, would be a miracle!
* And consider Joseph... What a humble man he was. Here his fiancee is pregnant with the Son of God and instead of “giving her the boot” he sticks by her, recognizing (through a dream from the Lord) that God is, indeed, in control. I wonder what other thoughts crossed his mind as he realized that he would be having a son. Did he look forward to raising this son or was he filled with confusion as to HOW to raise such a unique son? Did he struggle with wanting to raise his son in his trade or did he accept the fact that his son would take on a totally different focus in life? What dreams did he have for his son? If, as the angel told them, their son truly was the Son of God, how soon would it be obvious to Joseph & Mary? How would they know?
* Why did God choose such a “low-key” entrance into this world?
* And Bethlehem. Why Bethlehem? There’s lots of history there. Jacob’s wife, Rachel, was buried there. Ruth & Naomi moved there and Ruth re-married there. Bethlehem means “the house of bread” and Ephrathah means “fruitfulness.” Jesus called Himself “the bread of life” (John 6:51) and taught us that when we are in Him - the True Vine - that we would “bear much fruit.” (John 15:8)
* Some things we think we know about the Nativity story that are not in Scripture:
-- Jesus was born in a stable - it is more likely that he was born in a cave
-- There were 3 wise men - there were, indeed, 3 gifts, but we aren’t told how many wise men came
-- Nor are we told exactly when the wise men came, but it seems that it was months to 2 years after Jesus’ birth
-- Joseph & Mary went by donkey to Bethlehem - we don’t know how they traveled to Bethelehem
-- Jesus’ birth probably took place in March rather than December - but this cannot be proven
* During the lifetime of Jesus Christ, the name “Jesus” was quite common. Even the insurrectionist called Barabbas was called Jesus. However, shortly after the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus our Lord, the name “Jesus” died out of popularity. Hmm.
* Why is it that the most spectacular appearance of angels at the coming of Jesus Christ was witnessed by “lowly” shepherds? In all of the other records foretelling His coming, Gabriel alone visited those involved.
* What is with the Star of Bethlehem? How did these wise men (astrologers?) follow that star? There is a lot of speculation about that star, but more mystery than anything remains.
* The wise men’s gifts are interesting: gold (signifying a royal gift of kingship), frankincense (the word means “whiteness” signifying purity and was the oil burned in the temple where the sacrifices were made - the priest comes to the people) and myrrh (and anointing oil for embalming the dead - significant of His death). I have to wonder if Mary & Joseph shuddered as they recognized the significance of the gifts...
* “Jesus didn’t arrive in the manner of a king for several reasons, the most important of which is simply that He came to turn the world and its values upside down.”
* The term “Christmas” comes from the Middle English term “Christemasse” or “Christ mass” meaning “Christ’s service of worship.”
Once again, I am filled with the mystery of the Nativity. I have more questions. More “What abouts?” and more respect for the God of the Universe that slipped out of His robes of majesty & power & acclaim and clothed Himself with skin, robes and sandals.
He did it for me. For you. For all mankind.
Merry Christmas? No. A BLESSED Christmas is my wish for you.
I have that opportunity this year - at least to a small degree. Here are some thoughts that have come out of reading & prep for a message on the meaning of Christmas that I am preparing (many of these - if not most - come from David Jeremiah’s book, “The Nativity.”):
* More than 300 specific prophecies are in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) about the promised Messiah.
* The odds of one person fulfilling 60 prophecies is said to be 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 or 1x10 to the 157th power.
* The great problem of sin was resolved with the first step of God becoming a man. God in disguise as it were. Planted in the womb of a young woman still a virgin. The Creator among His creation as one of His own creatures.
* Have we considered the impact of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary of her impending pregnancy - by the Holy Spirit? Here she is in the throes of preparations for a wedding. She’s dreaming of becoming Joseph’s wife, joining his family, becoming - eventually - a mother and raising children with her husband. All of a sudden, she receives the news that she will be pregnant BEFORE the wedding and it won’t be Joseph’s baby - it will be GOD’S baby. Mom, Dad, how would you react to your daughter’s news of this sort? Men, what would be your reaction if your beloved came to you during your engagement and told you that she is pregnant - with God’s baby?
* I love Mary’s response: “My soul magnifies the Lord! I am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me.” WOW! I’m not so sure that I would have responded so calmly. I guess that’s one reason why the Lord chose Mary and not me - not to mention that I’m male and that, indeed, would be a miracle!
* And consider Joseph... What a humble man he was. Here his fiancee is pregnant with the Son of God and instead of “giving her the boot” he sticks by her, recognizing (through a dream from the Lord) that God is, indeed, in control. I wonder what other thoughts crossed his mind as he realized that he would be having a son. Did he look forward to raising this son or was he filled with confusion as to HOW to raise such a unique son? Did he struggle with wanting to raise his son in his trade or did he accept the fact that his son would take on a totally different focus in life? What dreams did he have for his son? If, as the angel told them, their son truly was the Son of God, how soon would it be obvious to Joseph & Mary? How would they know?
* Why did God choose such a “low-key” entrance into this world?
* And Bethlehem. Why Bethlehem? There’s lots of history there. Jacob’s wife, Rachel, was buried there. Ruth & Naomi moved there and Ruth re-married there. Bethlehem means “the house of bread” and Ephrathah means “fruitfulness.” Jesus called Himself “the bread of life” (John 6:51) and taught us that when we are in Him - the True Vine - that we would “bear much fruit.” (John 15:8)
* Some things we think we know about the Nativity story that are not in Scripture:
-- Jesus was born in a stable - it is more likely that he was born in a cave
-- There were 3 wise men - there were, indeed, 3 gifts, but we aren’t told how many wise men came
-- Nor are we told exactly when the wise men came, but it seems that it was months to 2 years after Jesus’ birth
-- Joseph & Mary went by donkey to Bethlehem - we don’t know how they traveled to Bethelehem
-- Jesus’ birth probably took place in March rather than December - but this cannot be proven
* During the lifetime of Jesus Christ, the name “Jesus” was quite common. Even the insurrectionist called Barabbas was called Jesus. However, shortly after the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus our Lord, the name “Jesus” died out of popularity. Hmm.
* Why is it that the most spectacular appearance of angels at the coming of Jesus Christ was witnessed by “lowly” shepherds? In all of the other records foretelling His coming, Gabriel alone visited those involved.
* What is with the Star of Bethlehem? How did these wise men (astrologers?) follow that star? There is a lot of speculation about that star, but more mystery than anything remains.
* The wise men’s gifts are interesting: gold (signifying a royal gift of kingship), frankincense (the word means “whiteness” signifying purity and was the oil burned in the temple where the sacrifices were made - the priest comes to the people) and myrrh (and anointing oil for embalming the dead - significant of His death). I have to wonder if Mary & Joseph shuddered as they recognized the significance of the gifts...
* “Jesus didn’t arrive in the manner of a king for several reasons, the most important of which is simply that He came to turn the world and its values upside down.”
* The term “Christmas” comes from the Middle English term “Christemasse” or “Christ mass” meaning “Christ’s service of worship.”
Once again, I am filled with the mystery of the Nativity. I have more questions. More “What abouts?” and more respect for the God of the Universe that slipped out of His robes of majesty & power & acclaim and clothed Himself with skin, robes and sandals.
He did it for me. For you. For all mankind.
Merry Christmas? No. A BLESSED Christmas is my wish for you.
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