Baby Jesus is just born. There's a chill in the nights air. Mary and Joseph must have been very thankful that they at least had a place inside, some small fixings to meet their needs, and a small corner away from the crowded streets. Giving birth in these conditions was most likely not what they expected or had in mind. Some things just don't always go as we expect or think they should go. They didn't complain. They knew that God was with them. God had a purpose and plan. They just had to wait and see what would happen next.
Meanwhile, out in the hills of Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching their sheep. Trying to stay warm around the campfire was not always easy or fun. Being a shepherd was a dirty, stinky, rough to the bone type of job. Keeping all your sheep within your sight had it's challenges too. Nothing rare or strange ever seemed to happen to these shepherds. It was just a job out in the fields. A job for the lowly folks. This night changed everything with being a shepherd. In just one night, being a shepherd suddenly had a whole new meaning. An angel from the heavens arrived! A bright light shone in the dark sky. God's glory was shining all around them. Now, this would frighten anyone especially the lowly shepherds. They were so afraid. What was happening? What was going on here?
The angel began to speak to them. "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly, there were tons of other angels all around them. A whole heavenly host praising God! They were saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Then the angels all went away into heaven leaving the shepherds alone with just their sheep once again. Those shepherds probably sat there for a minute trying to put together all that they just heard and seen. They rubbed their sleepy eyes and realized that suddenly they were not so tired. They were very awake! They grabbed their few belongings, left their sheep in the field, and headed towards the crowded town. They said that they were going to go see this thing that just happened. They knew that the news they had just witnessed was from God!
They quickly rushed into town. More people trying to get through the streets was not what Bethlehem needed but it's exactly what Baby Jesus needed! Worshippers!!! The shepherds found Mary and Joseph. They found just what the angels said, "a baby lying in a manger". As they looked at the tiny newborn, they told Mary and Joseph all that happened. Other's around, wondered what in the world the shepherds were talking about.?. Angels ... a whole sky of them? A baby born in town ... so what? But Mary treasured everything in her heart what they told her. She knew! She knew that Jesus was special. She knew that all they proclaimed happened ... was true!!! The shepherds went back to their sheep glorifying God for all they heard and seen! Never had they a night like this before!
I am getting my story info from the book of Matthew and Luke and so just how all these events happened in the right order, I'm not sure. Luke doesn't say anything of the wise men. But in Luke it says that they went to the temple. So when Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised. He was named ... Jesus. This was the name that the angel said to call the baby. Thirty three days later, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord in the temple. They offered a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons. While they were at the temple, a man named Simeon approached them. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and was so excited when he saw the baby boy. Simeon was told through the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he saw the Lord's Christ. When he walked into the temple and saw the young parents with Jesus, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God. He said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." Simeon knew! Joseph and Mary was amazed at this. How did this man now? Then after some more statements, Simeon walked away. Soon a prophetess, a lady named Anna, began to give thanks to God. She too was glorifying God for His son!!! She too knew that this baby was special!!!
After Jesus was born, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They saw a star in the sky and followed it for far! When they arrived to Jerusalem they went to the king with some questions. They asked King Herod, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." What? What king? Herod was troubled. All of Jerusalem suddenly was troubled and wondering about this baby. What baby king? He gathered all the chief priests and scribes and started asking all kinds of questions. He wanted to know where this Christ was to be born. They told him that "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: and you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." After Herod heard this, he spoke to the wise men secretly. He asked when the star appeared? He sent them to Bethlehem and said to go and search diligently for the child and when they found him ... to come and tell him. He said he wanted to worship him too. This was a lie. He just wanted to hurt the child.
The wise men went to Bethlehem and saw the star again. It was shining in the sky right on top of where baby Jesus was. When they noticed the star again, they were so happy! They went into the house and there they saw Jesus with his mother Mary. They worshiped the baby! They gave gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh. They knew this was the reason they followed the star for so long!
That night, in a dream they were told to not return to Herod. They departed to their own country by going another route. They were not the only ones that had a dream. An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. The king was searching for the baby to destroy him. So, Joseph got up quickly and woke Mary. They loaded up their few belongings on their donkey and headed out of town. They headed for safety and God told them just where to go. They traveled all night and stayed in Egypt until the angel again told them it was safe to go home. Meanwhile, the king Herod, when he realized that he was tricked and that the wise men were not coming back, he was furious!!! He made a command that all the male babies in Bethlehem that were two years old or under, were to be killed. How terrible!!! So many babies died! The king was sure he had nothing to fear now. Surely that baby king was now dead.
After Herod died, an angel went to Joseph in another dream and said that they could go back to Israel. Those who sought after Jesus were now dead. Joseph and Mary knew it was now safe!!! They went to Nazareth.
It must have felt so good to be back in their own little town. Back with their families. Back home!!! So much has happened since they left town. Their lives would never be the same again. It would be much better!
Jesus grew to be a boy, into a man. He was wise. He was part human and part God! His life always reflected God's glory!!!
Jesus came as a baby to die for our sins. He gave His life years later so that we can live!!!
Praise Him this Christmas season for coming to save us from our sins! Let's be like the shepherds and glorify God! Let's be like the wise men and offer him our gifts and talents for His cause and kingdom! Let's be like Joseph and Mary and follow God's direction. Sing with the angels this Christmas!!! Rejoice ... peace has come to earth!!!
