This evening, we’re are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Jesus came and was born in a specific place:
Bethlehem, at a specific time, about 2025 years ago, and it was predicted
thousands of years in the past, with many finding themselves part of the
Christmas story. The coming of Jesus was first pointed to in the Garden of
Eden, where Adam and Eve find themselves part of the Christmas story through
their decision to disobey God and eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
This decision brought separation between God and them, also impacting us, and
they were kicked out of the garden. But before God throws them out, he promises
that from Eve will come a son who will crush the serpent’s head, the first
pointing ahead to the birth of Jesus.
Over the years, as humanity kept drifting away from
God, God kept sending prophets to call the people back
into a relationship with him, giving the people hope through reminding them of
his promise of a Messiah. The prophets were chosen by God to call the people
back to him, but also to give them glimpses of what the Messiah was going to do
and what he will be like. The prophets’ place in the Christmas story was to
keep up hope in God’s people, giving them descriptions of the coming Messiah so
the people will be able to recognize when the Messiah appears. The prophets
point ahead to God’s promises fulfilled, and to his plan of salvation and
renewal.
Then the time arrives, God’s 400-year silence ends, the angel Gabriel appears to an old priest,
Zechariah, in the temple, telling him that his old wife was going to have a son
who is going to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. Zechariah, a
priest who should have known better, expresses his doubt, and loses his voice
until his and Elizabeth’s son John is born. Zechariah and Elizabeth find their
place in the Christmas story as parents of the one who will introduce and
baptize Jesus at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. They represent the faithful
in Israel who are looking in hope and trust to the coming Messiah.
Gabriel’s place in the Christmas story is just
beginning, God’s messenger to the different people called to be
part of Jesus’ family know that the Messiah is about to appear. He’s sent to a
young woman in Nazareth to let her know that she is wonderfully
blessed among all women because she’s been chosen to be the mother of
the Messiah, the mother of the Son of God! Mary finds her place in the story by
trusting Gabriel’s message from God, recognizing that this child is going to be
the fulfilment of all the prophets’ messages, and all God’s promises to send a
Messiah for his people.
Gabriel’s place in the Christmas story isn’t over yet, he’s also sent to Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, in order to
encourage him to continue with his plans to marry Mary, even though she’s
expecting a child that’s not his. Joseph finds his place in the story by
trusting in Gabriel’s message and becoming the earthly father of Jesus, raising
Jesus up in the way of righteousness, since he himself is a righteous man. Jesus
is born into a home filled with faith in God and shaped by righteousness.
The angel choir finds its place in the Christmas story
by coming to shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem,
sharing heaven’s news with them. They announce the good news of the Messiah’s
birth, praising and glorifying God in singing the news and bringing joy and
hope through their song to all creation. The redeemer and restorer of creation
has come! It’s time for heaven and earth to celebrate God’s faithfulness and
grace to all creation. The angels’ place in the story is to praise the Lord of
heaven and earth and invite us to join them in their praise.
The shepherds find their place in the Christmas story as they hurry to Bethlehem to see this promised child
and offer him their worship. The hope of the world has been born and they
experience the need to come and see this hope for themselves. In Mary’s song,
in the prophecies of the prophets, in the promises of God, over and over again
the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed are mentioned as those the Messiah
will come for, to raise them up, to help them experience the blessings of God.
The shepherds represent that the Messiah comes for all God’s people, not just
the wealthy and educated, but for all people.
And now the Magi appear, they too find their place in the Christmas story by reading God’s
announcement of the Messiah’s birth written in the heavens. The Magi’s place in
the Christmas story is to represent the nations coming to Jesus, that Jesus
comes for all people, that he offers salvation to all those who believe in him,
through faith, as their Lord. The Magi take a journey of faith, seeking the one
born to be king of the Jews, a king important enough for the heavens to
announce his birth, a King of kings.
Jesus has come and fulfilled the prophets and God’s
promises, washed us clean from our sin, returned to his
Father, who sent us the Holy Spirit, and who is coming back again when the time
is right. Until that time, our place in the Christmas story is to share with
the world who Christmas is about, Jesus, why the Christmas story happened, and that
the ultimate fulfilment of the Christmas story is still to come with the
return of Jesus and the restoration and renewal of all creation. Our place is
to continue to offer the hope found in Jesus, the promise of new life, of the
presence of God always, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit in all areas of
our lives. Be part of the story, come and worship and praise Jesus, and go and
share him with the world around us.
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