This time of year commemorates when Christ Jesus was born. The word Christmas derives from Christ Mass, that is the Christmas Eve mass that ushers Christmas in with the words, "Christ is Born!" I have attended the Christ Mass. It is something every Christian should experience. The event is preluded by carols. Caroling is such a wonderful tradition. We sang "Emmanuel," "Noel," "Silent Night," among others. It is a special time when your heart is filled with the Holy Spirit and you remember your childhood when you first sang those songs that now you finally understand.
Or should I say, we think we understand. Christ's Birth is an event that should cause us pause. The full ramifications of this blessed event transcend our full comprehension. For when the Lord decided to save man from his sin, He did so in the most unlikely fashion. We expect God to come in power, to show us his might and to make the miracle of saving us look like something in the legends and epics. But the real story is one of the Almighty humbling Himself to the point of becoming a child. The King of the Universe, the Creator and Author of all things came into this would as a babe.
The Lord put limitations on himself. When He came forth from Mary's womb, He was not able to talk and had to learn to converse as we did. I do not believe the tradition found in religious art of Jesus lecturing the shepherds as a baby; such an event would have caused suspicion and think of how hard it would be for Jesus to grow up unnoticed tell "His time had come," if He was speaking perfect college level Hebrew. I will not rule out that He could have spoken as a child, but I believe if He went as far as to be born and raised by two earthly parents, that our Lord was not going to do something that defies the norm and will make people turn their heads. We should also take into account that King Herod wanted to kill Jesus and a talking baby would have drawn unwanted attention, even in Egypt where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus lived for seven years (estimated). Herod probably would have sent assassins if word came that a Child near the Nile was teaching the scholars and scribes of Alexandria.
While Christ did limit himself as a child, I do believe He knew He was God and could think as he always had. But like us who must learn to communicate in other languages, He had to learn human tongues. For our Lord had always communicated in heavenly ways and via telepathy as He does these days.
The Birth of Christ marks the moment when hope came into the world. Until then all mankind was doomed to a penitential existence and certainty of only going to Sheol, the paradise side of Hell (a kind of purgatory and waiting place). Every Jew in the time of Christ knew that no one could look upon the Lord and live. But while the Jewish people were looking for king, a political messiah like David, they missed the Isaiah prophesized Lamb who had to be slaughtered. (Isaiah 53).
I disagree with Mary worship and praying to the her. She was faithful handmaiden of the Lord, but not the Lord himself. Mary even said, "I exalt the Lord! And my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior." (Luke 1:47). A perfectly pure and holy person does not need a savior, thus her own words confirm she is but a "humble bondslave." That being said, I wish to acknowledge that Mary's obedience to the Will of God is admirable and exemplary. She knew full well the cost package; that few, save Elizabeth and Zachariah, were going to believe she was carrying the Christ child. In fact, what Mary had to look forward to was shunning from her neighbors, being disowned by her family who would believe she got pregnant out of wedlock, and the constant condescending remarks of unbelief and disbelief of people trying to convince her she is crazy. Even better was that Mary gets informed by the pious and Spirit filled Simon, "That a sword shall pierce your own soul (heart)," (Luke 2:35) a wonderful omen of Good Friday that would come thirty three years later. Mary had to be strong, stronger than any ordinary man.
Then there is Joseph, who often is sidelined and forgotten after The Nativity Scene. Joseph according to Catholics was an older man who had several sons and daughters before marrying Mary. Catholics believe this because they do not want to believe Mary and Joseph had children after Christ was born. But the evidence points to that Joseph was only sixteen, and Mary twelve. In those days, being sixteen and unmarried was old. If Joseph was old, with children, and widowed why would he have been disgruntled about Mary being pregnant with Jesus? Why did it take an angel in a dream to convince Him to marry Mary? If he was already a man with children, then why would be have been resistant to a woman in need of a husband? Joseph has many dreams and is instructed many times by angels. It is to Joseph that the angel tells to go to Egypt to save Jesus from Herod's soldiers. After Egypt we no longer hear about Joseph, except that we know Jesus tutors under him to become a tacton (carpenter and stone mason). Joseph dies before Jesus enters the ministry and that is the last we hear of him.
Both Mary and Joseph came from the line of King David. This is important because for the Jews who knew the prophecies of the Messiah, the Savior has to come from the line of David. The reason Joseph and Mary have to go to Bethlehem is because the was census that went us from Cesar Augustus that all Jews had to return to the land of their forefathers and David's home was Bethlehem. This is important for Jews to know Jesus is the messiah, but what is more astounding is that in Jesus' day you traced your ancestry and authenticated if you were a Jew through your father, but now in twenty first century the ancestry and authentication of Jewish linage is through the mother. So Jesus Christ is cover for both back then and in this present day! You can read the linages and genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 1. Luke's genealogy is from Mary, because Luke was Greek and was the only one to speak to the women.
The Birth of Christ is a birthday! The celebration on December 25th was instituted by the Pope. The true date for the event is likely in Fall, perhaps October during The Feast of Tabernacles. However, other scholars and archeologists are sure it was December. Despite the dispute, the day we celebrate Jesus' B-Day is on the 25th. While many people will be implementing the folklore and legends of Santa Claus, we as Christians should magnify and bring attention to Jesus Christ! This is celebration of His Birth. The moment when the greatest present was bestowed to us in the physical presence of Almighty God! It is a one time event, when God become flesh and live among us. The closest we shall get again is upon His Return and the Millennial Reign. Until then let us remember that the Lord God so loved us He came unthreateningly! He did not appear in U.F.O. or like King from the sky to scare people and make them submit. No, our Lord and Savior came in the way we all do, as a child and in manner that does not frighten but creates feelings of joy. Let us give thanks this Christmas that God cared so much about us, that He even came to us in a way we would accept and feel safe and comfortable with! Amen.
Texts to Read for Christmas Eve and Christmas:
Psalms 72:11: Prophecy of Jesus Christ (Dec 23)
Isaiah 7:14: Prophecy of Jesus Christ (Christmas Eve)
Isaiah 9:6: Prophecy of Jesus Christ (Christmas Eve)
Zachariah 9:9: Prophecy of Jesus Christ and Donkey (Christmas Eve)
Matthew 1: Genealogy of Jesus on Joseph's Side (Christmas Eve)
Luke 1: Genealogy of Jesus on Mary's Side (Christmas Eve)
Luke 1: 46-55: Mary with Jesus in the Womb meets Elizabeth
Micah 5:2: Old Testament Prophecy of Jesus and Bethlehem (Christmas Eve)
Luke 2: The Birth of Jesus Christ, Jesus Presented At the Temple
(Simeon), and The Boy Jesus At the Temple. (Christmas Day)
Luke 2: 15-20: The Shepherds
Matthew 2: 1-12: The Wise Men (Magi) Arrive
John 1:9-14: The Word Became Flesh (Christmas Day)
Galatians 4:4: There Was No Room at the Inner and Jesus Knocks at the Door (Christmas Night)
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