-Augustine of Hippo
What an amazing scene... certainly one of the most glorious (and ordinary) occasions to ever take place in history. Glorious because it was the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah whom the Scriptures prophesied about; the first step in God graciously sending His Son into a fallen world marred by sin so that we could have eternal life. But ordinary because it was the birth of a little baby Jewish boy who was placed in a manger. A manger! The glorious King was placed in an ordinary feeding trough. The same "I AM" who created the heavens and the earth was now in the form of a tiny, delicate, vulnerable baby boy.We pick up the story in Luke chapter two. An angel of the Lord appeared to "shepherds living out in the fields." He did not appear to high dignitaries or important Roman or Jewish officials, but to the socially outcast. Throughout Scripture, we see that God always seemed to look kindly on the shepherds. They were a picture of the very heart of God. An angel announced to shepherds the arrival of "The Great Shepherd", who was born so that He would "lay down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). Awe-struck and in sheer excitement from the good news, the shepherds journeyed to Bethlehem to see this special little baby boy. So excited, in fact, that Luke 2:16 says, "they came with haste." In the Greek, "haste" means they were in a hurry... they got moving, booked it, high-tailed it, got crackin'... well, you get the picture. haha! Here are Joseph and Mary adoring Baby Jesus when all of a sudden, these shepherds come and tell them that these angel dudes (yes, that's the technical term) appeared to them and announced that their baby was the Messiah. It must have been quite the story! Luke 2:18 says, "All those who heard it marveled..."
Michael Card poetically describes the event,
"Out in the stable yard
She sees a glow
Could it be angel light
How would she know
Shepherds stand wondering
Afraid to come in
But the baby that's born tonight
Will free them all To never fear again
As He lies in a cattle trough
She kneels by His side
Sweet baby breathing Soft infant sighs
Soft sounds of swallowing
As soft fingers part
Marvelous memories
She pondered then and hid them in her heart.
This brings us to one of the most interesting verses in the Christmas story, Luke 2:19... "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." She was taking it in. I wonder what she was thinking about in those moments? She couldn't comprehend what was fully happening, but I believe she knew these were events long foretold in the Law and Prophets and that her baby would impact all of history. She was right there in the midst of one of the most profound and important moments of all time! Without the birth of baby Jesus, we would still be in our sins and our faith would be entirely empty and pointless (1 Cor. 15:12-19).I can't help but wonder if Mary also pondered throughout her parenting years why God would choose her to bring the Messiah into this world. Gabriel told her that she had "found favor with God." Was it because she was so special and lived a perfect life that pleased a holy God? Contrary to what many Catholics believe, this points to God's goodness, not Mary's. After all, the story of Christmas is about Christ, not Mary. We are ALL sinners (Romans 3:23) and fall short of God's perfect standards (yes, even Mary!). She found favor (like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others), because God is merciful and desires to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. God also wants to use us... not so that we can think more highly of ourselves, but so that we can think more highly of Him.
Christmas is also about the amazing fact that God would even chose to save us. He certainly didn't have to! It would have been completely just to leave us in our sin. The angels look at us and marvel because we have a Savior... they don't (Hebrews 2:16). Christmas is really a peculiar story... just the fact that it is so odd really points to the reality of it's truth and historicity. The Almighty, omniscient, omnipotent God of the world born through a humble, virgin teenage Jewish woman? I would not have pictured the coming of the Christ through this kind of narrative, but something more resembling the likes of some super cool Hollywood action flick. I picture a sci-fi sort of story... like "24" meets "Heroes" meets "The Matrix" or something (Jack Bauer with Neo/Peter
Petrelli-like powers would be sweet). An awesome hero-ish sort of Jesus showing up with amazing power, nuking anyone who stood in His way. Someone whose presence immediately demanded respect and attention. Maybe this sort of thinking was why so many people missed Jesus when He walked the earth. The Jews were looking for a Savior who would wear a crown of royalty and who would rule with an iron fist... not someone who would wear a crown of thorns with nail-pierced wrists. God's ways are not our ways. He displayed humility and desires us to do the same (Philippians 2:5-11). The story of Christmas is about the God of the universe being born a baby to save us and show us how truly mighty He is. Think about it, there is tremendous might in humility. Proverbs 16:32 says that a patient person (displaying humility) is stronger than a mighty person who captures an entire city. He humbled Himself even to the point of death so that you and I could have life.
Christmas is not just a story we read to our children. We need to guard ourselves from even the thought of it comparing to some far-removed fantasy. Although at times, the historical account of Jesus' birth may be hard to believe, it really did happen! Let's also not forget what Christmas is all about... not presents or spreading "Christmas cheer," it's about a baby in a manger who would grow up, live a perfect life, and die a horrible death on a Roman cross so that we could live an abundant life (John 10:10). Let's not think about Christmas this year without thinking about how He has saved us! It is truly an amazing time of celebration as we reflect on the hope, joy, and freedom we have in Christ. He died so that we could be free to live for Him! Let's focus our eyes on Him and push past the busyness of the season. It's sooo hard (I know!), but let's remember that this world has nothing to offer and that our satisfaction can only be found in Him and in Him alone. Not in things, not in circumstances, not in relationships... but in Him. As you spend time with family over the holidays, reflect on Christ's humility that was demonstrated for us. How can you serve others and show love to your family? As you give gifts to your loved ones, remember how God gave His Son as a gift to us. And the next time you see a nativity scene, don't forget to think of the amazing story of excited shepherds, a pondering Mary, and a baby boy who would one day die on a cross and rise again so that you and I could be free from the effects of sin.~AF
