I adore the Christmas season! It’s all I can do to wait to put up all things Christmas! I actually start celebrating in my heart as soon as the first hint of fall appears. I’d celebrate all year.
The first chance I get, and any time I’m alone, I love to listen to Christmas music. Silent Night, The First Noel, Joy to the World, they all take me back to the Christmas story while I bake cookies and pies.
I love the sights, sounds and gifts of Christmas that is enveloped in the Christmas story. But before we dive in, go back with me to the book of Isaiah, where God showed His love in the promise of the Messiah.
“Look, the Virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel, God with us!” Isaiah 7:14
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end.” Isaiah 9:6-7
Even though the promise of the Messiah had been foretold, Israel continued to rebel and God completely stopped speaking to the prophets. During this time the Jews experienced very few peaceful years.
As we move forward, we find Joseph and his fiancé Mary. God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary and tells her she’s been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus. What a sight that must have been! Can you imagine what she must have felt? Just for a few seconds try to put yourself in her place. Joseph and Mary had not consummated their marriage and she’s expecting a child. Through God’s intervening actions He sent an angel to Joseph revealing to him to accept Mary as his wife. I can’t even begin to understand what it felt like to get this kind of news. The promise of the Messiah revealed in Isaiah is coming to fruition right before their eyes!
During this time, a census was ordered requiring Joseph to return to his hometown of Bethlehem. Today, for us, a 90 mile trip is a breeze, but for Joseph and Mary, it was a different journey. Think about it, walking 90 miles over difficult terrain.
As they arrive in Bethlehem, the streets are crowded and noisy from all of the extra people who are also coming to be counted in the census. Remember, Joseph has family living here and makes his way through the crowds to his family’s home. In Joseph’s time and culture, the houses in that day were two levels. The upper portion of the house was the living quarters for the family. The lower portion of the house or Inn was used as a stable to keep the animals in at night and when it was cold. The Nativity that we are all used to seeing isn’t accurate. When we read there’s no room in the Inn, it meant there was no room for them in the upper portion of the house. So, they went to the lower portion of the house- Inn- to stay with the animals.
It is here that the Savior of the World is born! 400 years of silence is broken in the cry of Immanuel, God with us. Oh, how their hearts must have been full of so much joy! Can you feel the love of God as He lays in the manger?
In the meantime, God placed a beautiful star in the sky to guide those seeking Jesus to the place they were staying. The Maji followed the star, the shepherds were guided to Jesus. God made a way for all to know! An angel is proclaiming the Good News while a miraculous sight of 10,000 angels are shouting His praises.
The gifts of the Magi would illuminate the different aspects of Jesus’ identity:
- Gold- valuable kingship on Earth
- Frankincense- the Deity of Jesus, fragrant
- Myrrh- anointing or embalming oil, foreshadow of His death
These gifts would portray the love and grace that He would bring.
So, enjoy all of the sights, sounds and gifts of Christmas, However, remember it’s because of God’s love, His promise and the hope and life that came to us in Bethlehem when Jesus, Immanuel, God with Us, was born! Celebrate Jesus!
We want to thank Janie Keller for sharing this post!
Women's Ministry 