STILL AMAZED

 John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

               I confess that I have always been sentimental about Christmas. Even as a young boy, I would get choked up when we sung certain Christmas carols. Unfortunately, that has only gotten worse as I have grown older. We attended our grandchildren’s Christmas program recently and when we were asked to sing Silent Night with the children, I found it hard to sing. I think the reason I get so emotional at Christmas is because of how amazing Christmas really is. Christmas celebrates the most amazing event of all of human history, the very creator of the world entered our world in the form of a baby. What could be more amazing than that?

               There are many things about the Christmas event that still amaze me. I am amazed at how God orchestrated events so that Jesus was born at the right time in the right place.

Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

               The prophet Micah had predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. God used Caesar Augustus to move Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem in time for Jesus to be born there.

               I am amazed at the response of both Mary and Joseph to this entire event. Mary willingly took on the role of being Jesus’ mother, even though it meant that she would be misunderstood and possibly shunned. Joseph, in the same way, took Mary as his wife, knowing that the child she bore was not his own. Yet, when the time came, Joseph claimed Jesus as his own.

               I am amazed that God chose to send Jesus as a baby, with all of the inherent risks that went along with that. The infant mortality rate at that time was 50%. There were no vaccines, no pediatricians, no health care as we know it. It was quite a risk. Also, Jesus grew up in a dangerous time, as Rome solidified its hold on the Middle East.

               I am amazed at the indifference of the very people who were looking for the coming of the Messiah. Mathew’s gospel tells us that when Herod inquired of the chief priests and teachers of the Law where the Messiah was to be born, they gave the right answer. What is more amazing is that they did nothing with it. Herod sent the Magi to seek out the child, but the chief priests and teachers of the Law stayed home in Jerusalem.

               John tells us that when Jesus came into the world, the very people who had been prepared to receive him failed to do so. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:11 (NIV) After looking forward to the coming of the Messiah for centuries, they failed to recognize Him when He arrived.

               I am amazed that God chose to reveal the reality of the Messiah coming to unexpected people. He announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. Shepherds lived on the fringe of society. Because they had to care for the sheep and often had to deal with dead animals, they were barred from participation in worship. Ironically, the shepherds we cared for the sheep that would eventually become sacrifices at the temple, could not enter the temple themselves. Yet, God chose to reveal the truth of Jesus’ birth to them.

Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

               If that was not enough, God revealed the birth of Jesus to Magi from the east. These Magi were both spiritual and political leaders in the Medo-Persian empire. No one could sit on the throne without their blessing. God showed them a sign that a new king had been born in Israel and so they made the long journey to acknowledge and worship him.

Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

               Still today, God reveals the reality of Jesus to those who are available and open to His message. The message of Christmas, that a Savior has been born to you, is still for all those who will joyfully receive it.

John 1:12-13 (NIV)
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

               I am still amazed every Christmas that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus into the world. Christmas is the greatest gift that the world has ever received. Many have received that gift with joy. Many have still left that gift unwrapped and unappreciated.

Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."