Devotional For the Week— 8 January 2007
THE
NATIVITY STORY
Scripture
Text: Luke
2:1-18
The Nativity story is the story of
the birth of Christ. Although
this story is a familiar one to many Christians, let us look again
at this episode to see what message God has for us.
Today’s passage can be taken
in 3 parts. Part 1 provides
the setting of the event that was to take place (Luke 2:1-7). Part 2 tells of the call of the shepherds
by the chorus of angels (Luke 2:8-15).
Part 3 covers the response of the shepherds (Luke 2:16-18).
Part 1: Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2 opens with Caesar Augustus, emperor
of Rome, calling for a census to
be taken throughout the Roman Empire
which was a huge expanse of territory, covering many nations.
The census was a troublesome affair.
Many people had to leave their current residence to travel
back to their original ancestral hometowns to be registered! Joseph was in that position and we find him
traveling from Nazareth with his
wife, Mary and an unborn child back to his ancestral home of Bethlehem.
When Joseph reaches Bethlehem, he finds the once quiet town bustling
and crowded with people. Anyone
whose ancestry could be traced back to the little Davidic town
was back in Bethlehem. This was a most uncomfortable and inconvenient
time for everyone, especially for Mary as she had to contend with
birth pains in a foreign land and in crammed surroundings. Bible scholars have long debated on the word
‘inn’. Some
take it to mean a small motel of sorts (as is understood today). Others, the upper raised platform in a Jewish
home, one where people slept and ate.
Underneath the ‘inn’/raised platform would
be a carved out hollow for animals to sleep and rest.
As such, when Luke writes that “..there
was no place at the inn’, it could mean that the upper platform
was filled with people. Thus Jesus was born and laid at the animal
containment area below the stairs.
Whichever interpretation one takes, it makes no theological
difference, because the fact remains that Jesus was born in humble
surroundings, where no human baby should have had to be laid.
Perhaps this Christmas, you also find yourself
in an unhappy, hemmed in situation.
Perhaps like those serving under Caesar’s rule, you
have a boss, family member or colleague lording over you and forcing
you to meet their demands, deadlines and ultimatums.
Perhaps like Mary and Joseph, and the other subjects of
the Roman Empire who had to travel to register for the census,
you too have had to relocate to a new place of residence or have
recently changed jobs. Perhaps
someone has left you and this is your first Christmas without
them. Perhaps like the discomfort Mary experienced
of having to deliver a child in a stable, you are experiencing
an uncomfortable Christmas in one way or another. Perhaps finance is a problem this Christmas
or your body is giving way. Whatever
your discomfort, may you take heart in knowing that God promises
His message of comfort this and every Christmas.
You may not see it but in the midst of your troubles, the
Lord is in control of all circumstances and has already sent help.
Persevere on. The recent movie ‘World Trade Center’
by Oliver Stone tells of Lieutenant Frank and Constable Willie
who were both crushed under the collapsed Twin Towers during the
9/11 event. They were in severe pain and suffered internal
injuries but they knew that so long as they kept awake crying
out for help, they had a chance of survival.
So they took turns waking each other up. For a long time, however, no one heard their
cries. Hours back when
the Twin Towers
were first hit, a retired soldier was having his haircut in a
barber shop, miles away from New
York City. He saw the attacks on TV and
felt God calling him to go forth to do something to help. He donned
his old army uniform and took the next bus there. When he arrived, the rescue authorities let
him in because they needed all the help they could get. The retired soldier would eventually find
Frank and Willie because he persevered in his search (even when
the other rescue workers retired for the night) while Frank and
Willie persevered in crying out for help.
While Frank and Willie were in the midst of great suffering
and tribulation, the Lord already made sure a greater rescue was
underway. He called out
to Hank, the retired soldier to come out and to save them even
though he was nowhere near New
York City when it happened.
Likewise, when we examine the birth
of Christ further, we can see God’s sovereignty and provision,
even in the midst of great discomfort.
In Luke 2, while it seemed as if Caesar was in power by
calling for a census, a greater Divine power was at work.
God allowed the census so that prophecy would come to pass
that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. While everyone was inconvenienced by mass
relocation, God took upon himself a greater relocation –
Jesus was making his way from heaven to earth to be born on Christmas
day and to bring God’s promise of eternal comfort and salvation
to all mankind. So if this Christmas is a tough one, read Luke 2 again and look into the heart of the God
who works all events for the good of His people. In your own situation, lean on Him and hope
in Him. If you do, be assured
that God has already sent help and He will make a way for you
in His own time. For at Christmas, we celebrate the birth of
Emmanuel which means ‘God with us’!
Part
II – Luke 2:8-15
Christ’s
birth is announced by the angels to humble shepherds in verses
8 to 15. We learn 3 things about God here.
-
God does not have favourites like the world does. His
intention is to reach out to all. Here, it pleased God
to make this one important announcement to the commonest of
all people, the shepherds who probably held one of the lowest
ranks in society back then. When one is invited to experience
God, it is never about the achievements of that person but
the graciousness of God.
-
Angels
are not cute little creatures as the world depicts them to
be. Old Testament scripture tells us that they are fierce-some
creatures, that one angel is capable of slaying over a hundred
thousand of the enemy troops! So when a person meets
an angel, it will be normal to tremble in fear for it may
be his day of reckoning. The shepherds trembled in fear
but were reassured by the angel that the agenda that day was
the announcement of Christ’s birth and not of war or
death. It is by God’s grace that the shepherds
were given divine testimony to help them be convicted and
believe in the divinity of Christ’s birth. If they
were told of the birth of a child in a manger by another person,
that would not amount to much because it is common for a child
from poor roots to be born in a lowly place. However,
the angelic testimony gave weight and proof to the divinity
and supernatural nature of baby Jesus. If you look back
at your own redemption, was it also not God’s grace
that helped you be convicted of His divinity?
-
The
angel proclaims in verse 14 that peace would reside with all
men because of this Christ child. At the time of Christ’s
birth, there was already peace in the Roman Empire –
“Pax Romana” which means “Roman Peace”,
i.e. no nation dared to fight the Romans. The peace that
Christ brings is greater than that. Christ’s birth,
death and resurrection would bring peace to human souls forever
and this is promised to all mankind, not just to the shepherds
If you are struggling this Christmas
with your self-worth, society’s acceptance or whether you
are good enough to come before God and receive His love, know
this, it isn’t because of who you are or what you have done
that makes you deserving or un-deserving to stand before God and
receive His love. You are offered a peaceful, blessed Christmas
and daily life because of Jesus Christ. This is God’s grace. He offers more than the world can ever offer,
not on our merit but on Christ’s merit. So let God into your life and allow Him to
love, bless and forgive you today.
Part
III – Luke 2:16-18
The shepherds did not question the
angel. They ran to Bethlehem to see the Christ child born in
a manger and then they told all they would meet about the birth
of the Messiah. If you
have been invited to know Christ, have been blessed in your experience
of Him, what is your response to Christ today?
Do you embrace Him as your saviour? This Christmas, if you have experienced God’s
goodness, share it with those around you.
Christmas is about Christ. He brings us a hope and joy greater than anything
the world can offer and we know that all this is ours when we
trust in Him.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for the message you
bring this Christmas. I
am comforted and encouraged that in the midst of my difficulties,
you have already sent help. Help
me to recognize your sovereignty and that you are in control when
circumstances around me seem bleak and disappointing.
Thank you for your grace and that you accept me just as
I am. Grant me the boldness to share with others
your saving grace. Amen
Devotional
based on a sermon by Rev Joel Yong.