The story of the very first Christmas is very different to today’s Christmas celebrations. To me it seems so much more enjoyable as we listen to that first Christmas. Yes there were some difficulties: Mary was heavily pregnant and about to give birth in a place that was not where they normally lived.
Because there was a census being taken there were many visitors meaning that there was no place for them to stay and so Jesus was born in a barn.
But that is so much more different to today’s version of what goes on at Christmas time.
Everything is so frantic about Christmas that we barely get the chance to focus on what is central to the occasion. In Jesus time there was just one central focus – the birth of Jesus. The time came for Mary to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Then there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. The angels came and announced the good news of great joy for all people – today the saviour of the world is born. They drop everything and rush off to see this child for themselves.
Today we have so many diversions that can prevent us from enjoying the moment of what Christmas is truly about.
But, as you are here today, how great that like the Shepherds you’ve taken a moment out of the busy Christmas preparations to come and celebrate our Lord’s birth.
I mentioned this yesterday in my Christmas Eve sermon that we sometimes think that the greatest threat to Christmas is the secular world taking over. I’m sure you’ve seen the complaints. Things like Christmas decorations going up in November – Christmas carols being banned – Christmas greetings being replaced with happy holidays and “make merry” – even Santa Claus becoming the focus for children. Actually I don’t mind them because at least it is either creating a Christmas spirit or getting people talking about and defending Christmas.
The greater threat to Christmas is when we lose the joy of Christmas as we battle the traffic, the car parking, deadlines of getting those Christmas cards out and presents wrapped and preparing the food and drinks where you’re glad Christmas only comes around once a year – and you start to resent it as you start seeing that countdown – only 30 days to Christmas. At least we get an extra day before next Christmas with next year being a leap year.
The birth of Jesus, as declared by the angels, was to bring good news of great joy to all peoples. It is good news – it is great news – that God has confirmed to us how much he loves us. He loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to live with us.
Even with all the wars and crimes and other catastrophes, God not only loves this world but wants to live with us. And the name that he would be called by would be Immanuel which means God is with us.
Christmas is the most astonishing event in the whole history of time. In fact we determine time as before Christ and in the year of the Lord – BC and AD. What is so extraordinary of this occasion? On this night, God became human. And he did so in order that humankind might be forever united with God in the most intimate of ways. And it was not just extraordinary for us but also for God. That he was so proud and honoured in what had happened that he didn’t send just one angel but a multitude of angels to sing to the shepherds in the field.
A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
Please don’t ever lose the joy of this occasion – unto us a child is given – Jesus Christ our Lord -the Son of God. And for 2000 years the joy of Christmas has continued to sing out despite many attempts to silence it. People have been trying to silence Christmas from the day Jesus was born with Herod issuing a decree to have Jesus killed.
One day while Jesus was entering into one of the towns he was visiting the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices echoing the angels’ song: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” Tell them to be quiet! Jesus said “I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
The world will not and cannot silence the joy of Christmas. Only our hearts can silence Christmas in our own hearts when the joy of Christmas is hardened. Don’t let the busyness and franticness of Christmas do that to you.
Enjoy this momentous occasion because it endorses God’s love for you and assures you that not only does God want to live with you here on earth but God wants and assures you that you will one day live with him in Heaven forever.
