Christmas Eve Post

Scripture Luke 2:1-20

We all know how the story goes. A carpenter, with his pregnant virgin wife, was on the way to this obscure town called Bethlehem because Emperor Caesar Augustus decided to turn the empire upside down by ordering everyone to have their census taken. Every inn, hotel and motel were fully booked. The only available place for them was a stable at some run-down inn. They graciously accepted and it was here that the Savior of mankind was born. Some shepherds were tending to their sheep in the middle of the night when a flash of blinding light and an angel appeared to them and announced the good news of the Messiah’s birth. All were amazed and astounded when the armies of heaven were rejoicing that they immediately got up and went to the manger to praise the King of kings.

I had this “been there done that” feeling when I was reading those passages. C’mon, who hasn’t heard of the nativity story? But then, I decided to pay more attention to the passages. I knew exegesis from my college theology classes would come in handy some day. LOL So I decided to perform a little exegesis and got 5 wonderful insights I’d like to share. It had blessed me immensely and I hope it would bless you as well.

1. God used the government to put every little detail of the Savior’s birth in place.

When you think about it, without Caesar Augustus’ decree, the Savior wouldn’t have been born in Bethlehem. but God has a purpose for that place too (which i would talk about later). Everyone hated the Romans because they conquered the known world at that time (including Middle East). They were conquerors alright but they weren’t really the best administrators in the world. Some bullied their subjects, others were plain corrupt and abusive to the power. sounds familiar? Well, with everything that’s happening to governments being toppled around the world and people taking the revolution to the streets, one can’t help but feel uncertain of the times we live in. Just as God had proved that He is in control during the time of our Savior’s birth, He is still in control now and He will use everyone, including governments, according to His good and perfect will.

2. Bethlehem, where?

I’m sure no one in the world would ever have heard of this little town of Bethlehem, if not for the Savior’s birth. But of all the places, why Bethlehem? God could have planned for Jesus to be born in Jerusalem, the bustling metropolitan city, or Galilee, the quaint little town by the sea. Of all the nice places, why Bethlehem? Again, this is part of God’s divine plan. I’m not saying that I can explain God’s mysterious ways. It’s just that He may be teaching one of the most important values that most of us lack today: that is, humility. the Savior had been born in some obscure town. God could be intending for us to see that even the most obscure, unknown towns in the world could be touched by the Messiah.

3. Okay so Bethlehem is the chosen place, then why in a manger?

Come to think of it, God could have commanded, “Let there be room.” and for sure there would be a room in any inn He so desires. But then, He planned for Jesus to be born in a stable and lie in a manger. Do you have any idea how hard it is to give birth? I don’t. But then, seeing people give birth in hospitals alone seems excruciating enough. How much more in an unsanitized stable, complete with the horses, goats, sheep and whatnot? Imagine the smell, the dirt and the hay. Not really a nice picture compared to the nativity statues, huh? But then, God willed it that way. Again this is to teach us one thing: humility. The Hope of the world was born in a smelly, dark stable. He wanted us to know that welcoming the Savior into our world, our hearts, is that simple. We may feel like we’re a dark, unsanitized stable that isn’t worthy of Jesus’ love. But we are. All we really have to do is believe. We just have to believe, to have faith that we are sinners but Jesus came into this world in a lowly stable and died for our sins. We just have to believe with our hearts and minds that Jesus is our Savior. That no matter how dingy we feel now, He alone can wash away our sins. He paid for them with His life, remember?

4. Even the innkeepers who closed their doors to the couple were part of God’s plan.

Without them, the Savior wouldn’t have been born in a manger. It was all part and parcel of God’s divine will to show mankind that He is in control no matter what. I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying “when God closes a door, He opens a window.” Sometimes He uses others to close the door on you, not because He is mean and controlling. He does that because there is something better for you out there that only He can see now. Things may look hopeless but God sometimes uses that to stir you into the path that would benefit you the most. Besides, He’s the one who created us. He knows what’s best.

5. Why were the lowly shepherds the first ones to hear about the Good News?

I mean, God could have arranged that the host of heaven appear to King Herod, the Pharisees or even Caesar Augustus himself. Imagine, kings and famous, influential people could have come to the manger and pay their tributes. But God chose the shepherds (take note: on the night shift) to be the first ones to hear. Again, this is part of the humility and simplicity surrounding the whole solemn event. The shepherds, in particular, were chosen. Maybe it’s God’s way of showing us that He will never forget those who are at the bottom of the status pyramid – those who society neglects the most. He showed that they had the front seats to the Messiah’s birth. What is special about these shepherds is that they heard, they saw and they believed. They believed enough that they left their sheep and went straight ahead to the stable. No second guessing, no hesitations, no questions asked. Wow. What kind of faith is that? Maybe people of higher status would have ignored the message since they are surrounded by luxury and comfort. I guess the lesson here is even if we are blessed so much in life, we should never forget those who have little and none. More importantly, we should never forget the One who blessed us.

Personally, I learned that it isn’t about the external conditions for one to have a meaningful Christmas. It’s not the colorful christmas lights, the yummy food or the sparkling gifts in Christmas wrappers under the tree. It is internal. It is about the condition of your own spirit and rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas. The real Meaning of what we celebrate it for.. the birth of our Savior. May you and your family have a blessed and meaningful Christmas.