The First Christmas, part two

God chose His heavenly messengers, the angels, to deliver His incarnational news. The recipients? Shepherds, a low-class, marginalized, rough-and-raw, working class people, who ironically were also living a life ostracized from synagogue and typical religious expression (even though their work helped provide for the religious experience of others). The fact that these shepherds were living out in the fields and tending their flocks at night has suggested to many scholars that this historic night was more likely in spring than the depths of winter (there certainly is no sign on snow on the ground–sorry, “The First Noel.”).

The message of the angel is one of the greatest declarations of “Gospel” (= good news) anywhere shared in the Scripture: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2.10-11). While the shepherds are told that this news will be for “all the people,” twice they are told that this news includes them, too (“you,” “to you”), since typically they were treated as “outsiders” even though within Israel as a whole.

Notice that the angel’s declaration gives Jesus the titles of “Savior,” “Christ” and “the Lord,” three richly significant terms.

• Savior: the Deliverer
• Christ: the Anointed, Chosen One
• The Lord: Master, a term reserved in the Old Testament for God alone

The sign (which points beyond itself to a greater reality) given to them–a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger–would have eliminated the possibility of mistaken identity. But it did not remove faith from the equation. The shepherds still had to leave their flocks and believe in the reality enough to seek and discover the baby on their own. There was no star to lead them.

The armies of heaven (“heavenly hosts,” KJV) joined the original messenger in singing praises to God and attributing to Him the glory He so deserves. Although the King James version of the Bible made well-known their subsequent declaration of “peace on earth, goodwill to(ward) men,” all modern versions discount that translation as based on evidence that is less credible than newer manuscripts that have been found since 1611, when the Authorized Version was published.

We are given no hint of the reaction Mary and Joseph must have had to the arrival of the shepherds on that miraculous night, other than to say that “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (v. 19). They were likely no more amazed that God had revealed this most historic event to shepherds than they were that He had chosen them for this special service. Their character and integrity is once again seen in what they do rather than in simply what they say.

The shepherds become the first evangelists (modeled for them by the angels from above) in the New Testament. Their lives had been changed–transformed–by the event and they were never to be the same again. Being in the presence of Jesus–Savior, Christ and Lord–was in fact such an incredible, life-changing experience that they could not help but tell anyone and everyone about this child, no matter that their lack of acceptance and social status would cause others to be amazed.

My question to you today is this: has it changed your life, too?

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3.16)

WHOEVER includes you.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16.31)

Why not believe in Him today and accept the greatest Christmas gift you’ll ever receive?

The First Christmas, part one

By all accounts, it was a humble and scary experience. Mary and Joseph had likely traveled for days to arrive in Bethlehem, as required by Roman law. Typically, Jews who ventured south from Galilee to Jerusalem would travel in groups, both for safety and fellowship. But the scandal that surrounded the pregnancy of Mary may have caused this normalcy to have escaped them. If they were able to travel with others, it was probably strangers who accompanied them along the way.

While we must be careful not to read too much into the silence of Scripture about details not mentioned, the absence of family members–parents and siblings–in the entire storyline seems telling. Weren’t they also of the “lineage of David?” Wouldn’t they likely have to travel south, too?

Yet, here we see Mary–ostracized by society as an unwed mother-to-be (the typical rumors of the father centered around Joseph or a Roman soldier who had raped her) AND now also as a liar for not admitting to what her townspeople believed to be so obviously the truth. Joseph, too, was ostracized for not following the Jewish law, by which he could stone her to death, AND for not following Jewish tradition, which allowed him to divorce her quietly in order to keep her shame from becoming his shame, too.

Alone and together, they relied on their God and the faith He gave them to believe what they had been told. And He led them on; there is no sense–even in between the lines–of feelings of abandonment, anger or despair. Rather, the story suggests commitment, determination and faithfulness of their behalf. It demonstrates why they, of all people on the earth, had been chosen for this heavenly assignment.

Arrival in Bethlehem would have been difficult. The last many miles would have been an uphill journey. (By the way, the Scripture nowhere suggests they had a donkey to accompany them on this trip…not that they didn’t; it just doesn’t say.) The throngs of strangers surrounding them would likely have grown in numbers the closer they came to the Holy City. Privacy would have probably been only a dream.

The town of Bethlehem was small and known to us mostly for its relationship to the Temple in Jerusalem. Sheep were raised and sold for travelers headed to make sacrifices in the Holy City, as required by Old Testament Law. Such an event as the census of Rome, done for the purpose of imposing greater taxes on the people, would have expanded it beyond its capacity. Some who came would not find places to stay; some, including Mary and Joseph.

The inn was likely a small “boarding house,” with room for only a handful of visitors. Nothing larger was typically needed, since Bethlehem had become primarily a way-station on the journey to the Temple. The innkeeper, greatly vilified in most interpretations of the Christmas story today, is nowhere to be found in Scripture. Nor do we find a stable. All we find is a manger, a food trough for four-legged animals. Ancient history suggests the baby was born in a cave, a dwelling of God’s own creation, and not a building at all.

The birth of the baby would have been eventful and strenuous. No midwife is seen in the Scripture and thus, out of necessity, Joseph may have had to assist in the birth of the baby. The experience would have been loud, perhaps long and certainly intense. Anxiety about the safety of Mary and the health of the baby would have traveled through Joseph’s mind. There would have been no bed or table to give support or comfort to Mary, only hard soil and perhaps some straw or hay.

The baby’s birth is shared in one of the most matter-of-fact statements in Scripture: “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son,” (Luke 2.7a) though it was in no way an ordinary event. Strips of cloth, likely torn from the bottom of one (or both) of their robes, were used to wrap the baby tightly and give him his very first clothes. It was a solitary experience.

But this humble experience was destined to change the entire world for all time…

(more to come in part two)

Merry Christmas, everybody

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) With these few words, the apostle shares with us one of the most miraculous events in history.  The living God became a human being (in-carnate) and lived here on earth.  By definition God can do anything, but who can imagine a God who is willing to give up His “other-worldliness” to become one of us? Only an amazing God, indeed.

What John doesn’t tell us is that Jesus not only came to this earth, fully human as well as fully divine, but He came as a defenseless, innocent, vulnerable baby. He was born in the humblest of circumstances to a peasant woman who was ostracized for having a child “out of wedlock.” He was not born in a house, a hospital or an inn; he had no clothes of his own to wear at his birth, but strips of cloth, likely taken from the dress of his mother or father’s robe. He had no crib, but instead laid his head down first in the trough of cattle, a manger. So unremarkable was his birth that it was in fact truly remarkable for the King of the Universe!

But the night was like no other in other ways too. Angels announced his birth and multitudes sang for joy! The lowliest of workers–shepherds–outcasts and marginalized citizens of Israel, were the first to hear the Good News of His birth. Their appearance at the side of the manger was confirmation for Mary and Joseph of what they already believed to be true–the baby was Christ, the Lord. While the shepherds returned rejoicing, Mary turned reflective, as she paused on that first Christmas night to take in what all of this means.

You and I must respond like this too. Today is a day of rejoicing; and like the shepherds of old, it’s not a message to be kept to ourselves.  It deserves to be told. Then, steal away for awhile and be alone with God. “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do…” And may this Christmas season, and the wonder of our God’s birth among us, cause us each to glorify the Christchild like never before.  Merry Christmas, everybody!

Monday Morning Rewind: God’s Christmas Wishlist

Did you know that God has a Christmas wishlist, too? This time of year, when we get all caught up in what we want for Christmas and what we need to get for others to fulfill their wants, too, we can forget that the season is all about God. The Bible is filled with words that suggest His “will” (meaning “desire,” “want,” “wish”) and how that intersects our lives.

It all starts with identity…God wants us to “find ourselves” in Christ. His core concern for each of us is our Salvation.  He desires human beings to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, to enter into a live-changing relationship with Him.  After all, that’s what the Incarnation is all about–God with us. He has created us to find fulfillment in Him. “What can wash away my sin; nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

It continues with character development. He wants us to be Sanctified; he wants us to live holy lives. Our lives are to be different from the rest of the world. They are to be “set apart,” holy as God is holy. While God may use circumstances to shape our character, these same circumstances will also reveal our character.  Integrity and purity of heart are significant gifts we can give back to God as we allow His Spirit to cultivate the fruit of a life set apart for God.

It finishes in Service. Our doing is based on our being, not the other way around. Yet, God creates all of us uniquely, shaped to DO something special that He’s has in mind all along. This behavioral component impacts all of life, not just the Sunday morning time slot. It invades all that we do, impacting our lifestyle of activity at home, at the office, in the neighborhood and wherever God leads us.

In this Christmas season, we reflect upon all that God has given to each of us. It behooves us to ask “What are we giving to Him this Christmas?” My prayer is we’re giving Him our best–our soul, our sanctification and our service.

Sunday Starter for 12.21.08

Well, most of you have noticed that I’ve “taken the week off” on this blog…The schedule has been busy with Christmas activities and responsibilities with Jonathan while the rest of the family is away, in addition to the regular work routine. It is, after all, the holiday season, right?!

So we’re back to prepping for our Sunday worship experience tomorrow. It’s the fourth Sunday of Advent, the emphasis being on love. God loves us and we ought also to love one another. In fact, we are told in Scripture that the Greatest of all commandments is to love God first and to love your neighbor as yourself.

In light of that, if you’re like me you’ve spent considerable time and money on the gifts you’re giving others next week. Perhaps you’ve thought about what God has given you (His Son), since we celebrate that in this season. But my question to get us started tomorrow is this:

What are YOU giving to God for Christmas?

Tomorrow we’ll look at what I call “God’s Christmas Wishlist.” Got any ideas what’s on that list? Join us tomorrow at Calvary in Bel Air to find out (if you’re in the area); or check back here on Monday for the “Rewind” to get the scoop.

Monday Morning Rewind: 3 Views of Christmas

I love the Christmas season!  It is so special and so unique!  The Incarnation of Jesus Christ, which it celebrates, is no small event; and while we may not know the actual day of His birth, we do know He entered this world as a baby, born and placed in a manger in Bethlehem.

Our world today promotes competing views of Christmas and our response to it.  This set of worldviews and their accompanying value systems challenge the very center of our being and the needed focus upon our Lord Jesus Christ.

One view is to leave Christ out of Christmas. We see it everywhere…stores and local communities often rid themselves of any decoration that speak or share of the Nativity, the angels, Magi or shepherds.  Then there are the businesses and economic forecasters, who tell us to BUY, BUY, BUY because our economy depends upon it. Both groups seek to effectively neuter Christmas. Without Christ at its core, Christmas is nothing more than a winter festival.

A second view promoting studying Christ. Sometimes religion can do this; sometimes academia can do this.  Granted all of us need to search the Scriptures and study about Christ to learn.  But the idea here is that some seek to analyze, evaluate and dissect Christ by contemporary means–almost like putting Him under a microscope, with the belief that in so doing we can get to the kernel of truth hidden inside.  The assumption is God’s Word is not true, as is. And while education is a good thing, Christian scholars have noted that the longer one “studies” Christ, the greater the potential for the process of “distanciation” to take place. Our heart becomes cold to the person of Christ as He is objectified.  Jesus wants more for you, though; He wants you to have a living, dynamic relationship with Him, not just the study of a historical figure.

A final view is the view of the shepherds and Magi: the desire to worship and adore Him for who He is. Both experienced the presence of Christ and were NEVER the same.  The shepherds went away rejoicing and sharing with everyone they could “what they had seen and heard.” The Magi bowed down before Him and presented Him gifts of great value and meaning. This view is the view we too should have in our lives, as we seek to honor and glorify Him.  John Francis Wade was right so many years ago when he wrote, “Yea Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning. Jesus to Thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, O come let us adore Him…Christ the Lord.”

Sunday Starter for 12.14.08

Hey everybody, I’m back tomorrow and eager to join in the celebration of the Christmas season with all of you at Calvary. We’ll continue the Advent season with an emphasis on joy, and I’ll be speaking from parts of the Christmas story in both Matthew 2.1-12 and Luke 2.1-20.

In preparation for tomorrow, I’d ask you to reflect upon the differing responses to Jesus’ birth found in both accounts…there are several. Then ask the question: what is my response to Jesus’ birth? The lesson of Scripture is that if you’ve encountered the Christchild of Bethlehem personally, then your life will never be the same again.

How has you changed since meeting Him? What evidence exists in your life to suggest that transformation has taken place? We’ll talk more about the responses, both proper and improper, found in this passage along with the anticipated changes in our behavior as a result of the birth of Christ tomorrow  morning. See you then, and Merry Christmas to you all!

P.S. Don’t forget that the Calvary family votes on a prospective pastor during the morning services tomorrow. PRAY, PRAY and PRAY some more as we seek to align our hearts with God’s heart today; then be at worship tomorrow to help us determine if this man is God’s next pastor for Calvary Church.