Their minds are set on having ‘a good time’ and so will dance, eat and drink without knowing who threw the party or who the party was for. Pulled by the crowd and attracted by the commercial signs of Christmas they will walk past the gift. The garlands, Christmas trees, whiskies and wines, and the new attires have all come to replace the open arms with which we should welcome Jesus – the Saviour of the world.
How do you receive baby Jesus? Is Christmas just another end of year function, to make merry and exchange gifts and wishes of good health, long life and prosperity? Has the family get-together or dinner taken over and now occupies centre stage at Christmas? What indeed does this great event mean for humanity in general?
The phenomenon is not new, few received baby Jesus as they ought at the announcement of His birth; only a few will be able to make the difference this year in order not to be carried away by the fanfare and be sidetracked. But probably after reading through this article and reflecting on its message you will see things in their true perspective. The question really is, what will you do with baby Jesus this Christmas specifically? On what would you focus your thoughts? Would he be your ‘be all and end all’ ? Or would you rather thrust him out of the way and go ahead with the celebration?
Christ left His heavenly throne on high to come to live as a human being so that the purpose of God will be fulfilled. There could not have been a greater sacrifice or greater love; – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
When the angel of the Lord announced the virgin birth to the shepherds “watching over their flocks at night” he said to them; “Do not be afraid, I bring you news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) Straightaway, they left all they were doing and hurried off to see this event that had happened which the angel of the Lord had revealed to them.
They were the first to get to the scene. After they had worshipped him, “…they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” (verse 17) It was all so amazing, they could not have kept it to themselves. They broke the news to others happy to be associated with the event.
After the shepherds, it was the turn of the three wise men – the Magi – to visit. They had “seen His star in the east and had come to worship him.” They enquired from Herod, the reigning king, where he could be found. The thought of a Jewish king was upsetting for Herod and thoughts of losing his throne didn’t give him peace. After consulting, he was told that the baby king was to be born in Bethlehem, in Judea, and as he sent them on their way he bid them to, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2:8)
Imagine their joy when they followed the star “until it stopped over the place where the baby was.” (Matthew 2:9) They bowed down and worshipped him. Overwhelmed with joy, “they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) Like the shepherds they were all too happy to be a part of that singular event.
Herod could not contain his jealousy or hide his worry about an emergent king that would replace him. When the three kings did not return to the palace to report where the child could be found, he organised a search to eliminate him. But God protects His own. The wise men took another route home prompted by the angels. In his anger, he ordered that all the children two years and below in Bethlehem and the surrounding towns be killed. But before that could happen God had spoken to Mary and Joseph to move to Egypt.
