A time of miracles and wonder
The baby Jesus was ultimately born in a stable, hardly the most spectacular way to arrive on earth.
Christmas time means a lot of different things to different people.
Even within Christianity, there is sometimes sharp division as to whether or not one should actually celebrate this event. Or perhaps how one should celebrate it.
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Whatever the case, for many, it’s a time to get together with family.
This can admittedly lead to stress on a whole new level, especially during a busy holiday period, but in the end it’s usually wonderful to see family.
For others, Christmas is an acknowledgement that Jesus was born on earth and that for them, His life and what He would go on to do, is historical fact.
According to the Bible, a number of miraculous things happened some 2019 years ago.
A virgin was with child. This can be difficult to accept and understand.
The Jewish people had been expecting a Messiah, and many of them knew about Isaiah’s prophecy.
This same virgin, Mary, had to travel to Bethlehem on a donkey (due to a census having been called at that time by Herod).
Her fiancé Joseph couldn’t find a place to stay. (Lesson: don’t leave booking the accommodation to the men!)
The baby Jesus was ultimately born in a stable, hardly the most spectacular way to arrive on earth.
Shepherds came to visit the child who would later be described by John the Baptist as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”.
Hosts of angels had appeared to them, declaring peace on earth to all men.
At first they had been afraid, but they soon hurried to do what the angels had instructed.
The wise men from the east would only arrive a few years later (apparently) as Jesus was around two or three years old by that time, hence Herod’s murderous rage against boys of that age when he realised he had been tricked by the wise men, who, having been warned in a dream, returned to their own country by a different route.
But while Christ’s birth is significant for Christians, His death and resurrection are even more so.
As the Lamb of God, He would go on to pay the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could be reunited with the Father, and have peace in our hearts. And the hope of eternal life.
In a world that seems to be going increasingly mad, that is a message to bring joy and hope.
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