O Holy Night
Christmas is the holiest time of the year for Christians. I wanted to learn more about it and understand why it is such an important holiday to so many people. Since my children were born I placed a bigger emphasis on Santa Claus. This year I need it to mean more than just loads of gifts.
This is what happened according to the Book of Matthew and Luke. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. An angel named Gabriel came to her in a dream and told her she would have a son, Jesus who would be the son of God. “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor in God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." She had faith in God and said, “I am the Lord's servant; let it be as you say". Mary, being a virgin, was scared, but she found enough strength and faith in the Lord’s word to tell Joseph. A Holy Spirit came to Joseph in a dream and confirmed what Mary had told him and Joseph stayed and supported her. During this period, Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, ordered everyone to register in the census. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth and had to travel approximately 65 miles to Bethlehem to register. Joseph and Mary, heavy with child, embarked upon the journey that took several days. Upon arrival to Bethlehem, exhausted and with Mary in labor, they found the local inns full with other travelers for the census. After being turned away, they found shelter in a nearby stable and it is there that Mary gave birth to Jesus, with just Joseph to help her. The baby was born in the humblest of places, a stable. Swaddled in cloths, Mary placed the baby in the manger.
Also that night, Sheppard’s were tending their flock of sheep, when Angels came upon them. The Angels lit up the sky as they shared the news that the Messiah had been born. "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill toward men!" The Sheppard’s were fearful, but left their sheep and hurried to Bethlehem to find Jesus in the manger just as the angels had told them. After seeing the babe, they spread the joyous news to everyone they encountered.
The news spread and after hearing the stories, Herod, the King of Judea asked the Three Wise Men to go find the baby. He told the men he wanted them to find Jesus so he could go and honor him. The Wise Men set off on their journey guided by the Northern star. Eventually the star led them to Bethlehem, where they found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (perfume). After honoring the newborn King, the men started their journey back. The Wise Men were told in a dream not go back to King Judea with news of the baby. King Judea actually had plans to kill Jesus because he was afraid of losing his own power. King Judea was angered by the actions of the Wise Men sent an Army to kill everyone in Bethlehem, hoping the baby would die. But God told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt and he did, taking Mary and Jesus with him.
So that in a nutshell is the story of the birth of Jesus. No matter what your faith is, it is an intriguing story. Put yourself in Mary’s shoes for a minute. She finds herself pregnant, though still a virgin, and having to tell her future husband. Imagine an angel named Gabriel coming to tell her this life altering news and then finding faith in it. Now think about poor Joseph. He could have left Mary but he also was assured by an angel and found the strength and faith to stand by Mary. Mary had her baby with just Joseph to help her in a stable; no warmth, no creature comforts, no doctor, no pain medicine, no midwife, no mother, just her and Joseph. The Sheppard’s must have been terrified to have angels descend upon them, yet they too found courage and faith in what they had been told and set off to view and honor the baby. They shared this heavenly news to others without fear of being thought crazy. The Wise Men were just as important. They followed a star for a long time with faith they would find Jesus directly below it. And then they courageously defied their king, to keep Jesus safe. If anyone of them had not done their part, tragedy could have ensued. All of them had faith, strength, courage and hope.
When I see people scurrying to buy presents at the mall and work to find merriment in the holidays, I am going to remember the story of the birth of Jesus. Christmas isn’t about buying presents, crazy traffic, and being rushed. It’s about following the lighted path of faith and hope and using it to make the world a better place. Merry Christmas.
This is what happened according to the Book of Matthew and Luke. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. An angel named Gabriel came to her in a dream and told her she would have a son, Jesus who would be the son of God. “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor in God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." She had faith in God and said, “I am the Lord's servant; let it be as you say". Mary, being a virgin, was scared, but she found enough strength and faith in the Lord’s word to tell Joseph. A Holy Spirit came to Joseph in a dream and confirmed what Mary had told him and Joseph stayed and supported her. During this period, Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, ordered everyone to register in the census. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth and had to travel approximately 65 miles to Bethlehem to register. Joseph and Mary, heavy with child, embarked upon the journey that took several days. Upon arrival to Bethlehem, exhausted and with Mary in labor, they found the local inns full with other travelers for the census. After being turned away, they found shelter in a nearby stable and it is there that Mary gave birth to Jesus, with just Joseph to help her. The baby was born in the humblest of places, a stable. Swaddled in cloths, Mary placed the baby in the manger.
Also that night, Sheppard’s were tending their flock of sheep, when Angels came upon them. The Angels lit up the sky as they shared the news that the Messiah had been born. "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill toward men!" The Sheppard’s were fearful, but left their sheep and hurried to Bethlehem to find Jesus in the manger just as the angels had told them. After seeing the babe, they spread the joyous news to everyone they encountered.
The news spread and after hearing the stories, Herod, the King of Judea asked the Three Wise Men to go find the baby. He told the men he wanted them to find Jesus so he could go and honor him. The Wise Men set off on their journey guided by the Northern star. Eventually the star led them to Bethlehem, where they found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense (incense), and myrrh (perfume). After honoring the newborn King, the men started their journey back. The Wise Men were told in a dream not go back to King Judea with news of the baby. King Judea actually had plans to kill Jesus because he was afraid of losing his own power. King Judea was angered by the actions of the Wise Men sent an Army to kill everyone in Bethlehem, hoping the baby would die. But God told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt and he did, taking Mary and Jesus with him.
So that in a nutshell is the story of the birth of Jesus. No matter what your faith is, it is an intriguing story. Put yourself in Mary’s shoes for a minute. She finds herself pregnant, though still a virgin, and having to tell her future husband. Imagine an angel named Gabriel coming to tell her this life altering news and then finding faith in it. Now think about poor Joseph. He could have left Mary but he also was assured by an angel and found the strength and faith to stand by Mary. Mary had her baby with just Joseph to help her in a stable; no warmth, no creature comforts, no doctor, no pain medicine, no midwife, no mother, just her and Joseph. The Sheppard’s must have been terrified to have angels descend upon them, yet they too found courage and faith in what they had been told and set off to view and honor the baby. They shared this heavenly news to others without fear of being thought crazy. The Wise Men were just as important. They followed a star for a long time with faith they would find Jesus directly below it. And then they courageously defied their king, to keep Jesus safe. If anyone of them had not done their part, tragedy could have ensued. All of them had faith, strength, courage and hope.
When I see people scurrying to buy presents at the mall and work to find merriment in the holidays, I am going to remember the story of the birth of Jesus. Christmas isn’t about buying presents, crazy traffic, and being rushed. It’s about following the lighted path of faith and hope and using it to make the world a better place. Merry Christmas.
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