Jesus, we are told, was born in a manger to His mother, Mary, and his Legal or earthly father, Joseph. But His story is not as simple as that. It cannot be tied in a bow quite so easily.
Jesus was not just another baby born. He was not just another little boy who would play rough, learn His father’s trade, and welcome siblings. He was not just another child who would be taught the Torah word by word and grow into a man living out that trade. Because as we saw in the story of Mary, this child is the Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.
This nativity story is not tidy but complicated. It was not a cold, snowy night in a beautiful Georgian manor as we see depicted in our Christmas cards. Nor was it a picturesque cookie-shaping occasion, with banners and balloons, Christmas trees, and fairy lights. Rather, it consisted of a young teenage girl pregnant out of wedlock, with her betrothed, 100 miles from home, completing a census while staying in the home of a stranger, giving birth to God's son. This is a wow story if ever we read one.
When we see Jesus enter the scene of time as a baby, incarnated, He does so at a time when King Herod was on the throne. He was a tyrant, and we see that displayed in the nativity story. When the Wise Men ask to see the new King, shortly after, Herod demands that all baby boys under two be killed. The Jews were under Roman rule, and they had long awaited a Messiah to rescue them. None of the Jews expected this Messiah to come as a baby in a manger, but rather, they thought this warrior would be strong and would advance and attack. But Jesus didn’t come to break Roman rule but to break the hold on humanity that Satan had. Galatians 4:4 tells us everything we need to understand about the birth of Jesus. It reads:
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
After 400 years of silence by the prophets to the Israelite nation, though we still hear God speak individually, God sends His son. His son comes with one purpose and one strategy, which is to live and then die, rising again so that we may be able to receive adoption into the family of God. In doing so, Jesus repaired all the damage done in Genesis during the fall of Adam and Eve. Jesus is our second Adam, the one who would be spotless, sinless, righteous, and die in our place.
This story reveals to us Jesus being born around animals, to a young woman, visited by dirty Shepherds who would not so much have been allowed in the temple, let alone on the steps of it. He was also visited by Astrologers; let’s not mince up our words here; they were not following God; they were not even Jewish! Rather, they were reading stars and following them. To say this story is messy would be a stop short, it is in essence outrageous. The whole narrative is counter-cultural.
In this story, we see a value placed on women, the outcasts, and those seemingly too dirty to be included, and yet this reveals the heart of God himself. He is the come one, come all Savior. He welcomes all sorts of people. He is not pushing anyone aside, but He is making a way for all to come.
At Christmas, as we see Jesus as a small baby in a manger, we must remember that Jesus is not just the main character of this bible story, but He is the main character of every bible story. While this is the story of his incarnation, Jesus is prevalent and evident in the Old Testament as much as He is in the New Testament. Jesus was not an afterthought or a crisis plan B by God, but rather, He is the Son of God. Genesis 1 mentions Jesus in acknowledging that God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,” implying both Jesus and the Holy Spirit were present from the beginning or before the beginning. The only one who could come and take the place of humanity and make a way for our sins to be forgiven.
In Jesus life on earth He fulfilled over 300 prophecies, some of those are specific to His birth, and some to His death. Jesus, we are told, was to be called Immanuel because He would be God with us. This little babe would grow and be able to sympathize with us in our weakness. He would know joy, happiness, love, grief, anger, and confusion, yet experience it all without sin (2 Cor 5:21). He set an example for us to live by. A road and path for us to follow. No matter what you face today, the person of Jesus is still able to understand your pain and your weakness, and He is still interceding for you at the right hand of Father God (Rom 8:34).
I love Christmas, and while I know some of us struggle with the idea that we do not celebrate Jesus’ birth on the actual day, which is more likely springtime. I feel it is right to commemorate and celebrate that day in any way. It gives us a special occasion to share Jesus with those who may have never met Him.
I don’t know if you know Jesus or if you are just passing through. However, if you do not know Him, I would love to invite you to read a bible, attend a carol service, speak to a Christian you know, and maybe this Christmas, you too could put your faith in Jesus and become one of the most amazing, global, and time spanning families there is.
Maybe you have never heard the words, but know today that you, yes you, are loved! Not loved with strings attached, or with confinements, but freely loved, loved anyways, because John 3:16 tells me that “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son, that whosoever might believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” For those of us who think we need to brush up first or clean up, oh friend, that is not at all required. Romans tells me that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). You are welcome as you are, whether you are filthy like the Shepherds, or the type of person who would be welcome at the King's table, all are welcome at Jesus table. This babe we celebrate at Christmas is the key to abundance. So, friend, while the Christian road is not easy, it is well worth it. Why not join me and thousands of others and walk the Jesus way?
Who Were the Characters of Christmas?
What the Wise Men Teach Us about Worship and Generosity
What Zechariah’s Story Teaches Us about God’s Perfect Timing
Why Elizabeth’s Story Is a Powerful Reminder of God’s Faithfulness
How King Herod’s Evil Plot Reveals a Deeper Spiritual Battle
Why the Shepherds’ Story Proves God Welcomes the Outcasts
What Mary Knew and Why It Matters to Your Faith This Christmas
Why Joseph’s Faith and Obedience Still Inspire Us Today
How the Outcasts of the Nativity Reveal God’s Heart for You
Photo Credit: SWN Design
