The many candles, lights, celebrations, gifts, delicacies, that are part of the Christmas Season – make me forget that the birth of Jesus was rather sub-ideal.
Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:7
Did you know that the word manger used to mean wickerwork? In the old German language, it meant a woven feeding trough for animals. Later, when the troughs were made of wood or stone, people still said crib to it.
But why was Jesus laid in such an unworthy manger? Quite sub-ideal for a newborn. In our Bible verse above it says: “… For in the hostels they had found no place. When it says, “they had not found a place”, it shows that at another time when there wasn’t a referendum going on, things could have been very different.
As normal as the birth of Jesus may have been, the circumstances are not ideal. This first Christmas happens in the middle of normal, human, messy everyday life.
What situation is rather not ideal in your life? This is exactly where God wants to come to you.
When I was a child, I was encouraged to write a Christmas wish list. Every year, I had many, good and great wishes, but on this list I wrote only my three top ones. When Christmas came around, I was of course very happy when I could unwrap these precious gifts.
But the importance of these gifts has passed with time, in fact it was forgotten quickly. In all honesty, I could no longer tell you what I received as a gift when I was nine years old.
The greatest gift at Christmas will not be under the Christmas tree this year either, since no one bought and wrapped this gift. Also, it does not belong to you or me only. God gave this greatest gift to all of us when the first Christmas occurred. Jesus came into the world!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
For many centuries, the Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, a King, Savior and Deliverer. With the birth of Jesus, the wait finally came to an end.
This newborn was not only the Messiah, but God Himself!
This newborn was not only the Messiah, but God Himself! In the beginning was the Word, … and the Word was with God, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 1:1 and 14a
The miracle of Jesus’ birth is that he was fully God and fully man. He came from the glory of his Father, but took on human form.
At Christmas we celebrate this miracle! Thanks be to God that he sent his Son to earth.
Jesus, God himself, has a birthday on Christmas. How do you celebrate Christmas?
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Mary had just given birth to a child. Jesus, the promised Messiah and Savior, lays before her in a manger. Rejoicing angels announced to the shepherds nearby the joy of God of the birth of his only Son. They hurried to see the newborn Savior. But Mary – in the midst of the excitement and celebration – kept a quiet heart. She thought and marveled at all that was said about the child who was under her and Joseph’s protection and care.
Twelve years later, Mary and Joseph thought they had lost Jesus when they were on their way home after a religious holiday in Jerusalem. When they finally found him in the temple, he explained to them that he must be in his father’s house. And once again:
But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Luke 2:51
How is your heart responding to this Christmas season? Can you slow down a little in the midst of the Christmas festivities? Take time today, like Mary, to reflect, to wonder, and to encounter Jesus.
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. Mary had just received the greatest treasure –.
Luke 1:39-40
she was pregnant with Jesus. Who was she going to see? Someone who would understand her. Gabriel, the angel and messenger of God, had said:
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 1:36-37
Mary visited someone who could encourage her in her faith and was already a little further along in her pregnancy.
This wise decision did her a world of good. In response to Mary’s voice, the child leapt in Elisabet’s womb! Elisabet exclaimed:
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
Luke 1:45
Mary then proclaimed the message of God’s grace that is sung throughout the world.
On your journey through life, you too carry a treasure with you, a searching heart. Who would be a “safe place” for you to entrust your heart to?
I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38
Corrie ten Boom, who helped save many Jewish people in Holland during the Holocaust, once described salvation as a “first YES to Jesus.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, had already said her first YES to God before an angel, a messenger from God, appeared turning her life upside down. This subsequent YES to God’s plan came from a heart that trusted her Lord.
This illegitimate pregnancy could have caused major issues, including the possible loss of her marriage to her fiancé, Joseph. But Mary rejoiced in what she considered the greatest honour that could ever be bestowed on a woman: to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world! She trusted that God, who had chosen her, would also be with her and make a way for her. She could continue to say YES to Him without fear.
What about you? Have you already said your first YES to Jesus? Jesus – the one who knows exactly how it is to grow up on this earth – invites you to give him your trust. Is there something that is holding you back? You can tell him.
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