The birth of Jesus has been so romanticized that I think it’s virtually impossible to get an accurate look at it. We have seen so many artistic renditions, so many television and movie versions, that it’s hard for us to see it as it probably really was.
The scene that most of us are familiar with is Mary and Joseph on each side of Jesus, with the animals looking on reverently. The star shines overhead as the wise men bow down, holding up their gifts to the newborn child. Meanwhile, a full moon silhouettes the camels in the background.
But that isn’t how it was. The son of God was born into a very unsanitary environment. Imagine a woman giving birth in a garage, or worse yet, a barn filled with animals. It would have been cold. It also would have smelled, because the animals would have stunk like animals stink.
Therefore, if we can see the Christmas story in its simplicity, reality and historicity, then we can fully appreciate what God did for us.
Prior to the arrival of Jesus, there had been 400 years of silence from heaven, which was broken by the angels coming first to announce the birth of John the Baptist and then later the birth of Jesus.
This was a significant event that changed world history and all of humanity. History is his story. God chose this particular moment in human history to bring forth the Savior.
It was a strategic moment. Things were ripe. Rome had pretty much bludgeoned the world into submission. Pax Romana was the rule of the day. And with its sophisticated culture and society, Rome had opened up roads to the rest of the world.
In the absence of war, people were rediscovering literature, art, religion and philosophy. Greek philosophers like Plato pondered the big questions of life, including those involving human character and destiny. People were searching and probing.
If they turned to the Judaism of the day, they would not have found the once-vibrant faith of the days of David and Solomon. Instead, they would have found a rather cold, lifeless and legalistic religion.
This was the right moment in human history for Jesus’ birth.
Jesus could have been born in an elegant mansion on the ritziest boulevard in the Roman Empire. He could have had aristocratic parents boasting of their pedigree. He could have been dressed in the finest clothes from the most exclusive merchants. But he didn’t have any of that. He laid it aside for us.
The King of kings left the glory of heaven to live in humble, earthly surroundings. He gave up everything to come to us.
The apostle Paul wrote, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV).
He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. God Almighty was a helpless little baby. He went from the throne of heaven to a cave filled with animals because there was no room for him in the inn. What a rude awakening.
Is there room for him in your heart right now? Is there room in your life for Jesus? Would you make room for him today and in the coming year?
Check out Greg Laurie’s books and movies in the WND Superstore
This is a time when we focus so much on giving gifts. God has a gift for you. It’s a very important gift, the ultimate gift. It never will wear out or grow old. In fact, this gift will become more precious to you with the passing of time. You will begin to discover all this gift is as time passes, because the greatest blessing of it is the hope of life beyond the grave—not just purpose and meaning in this life we’re living now.
Let’s say, for instance, that you gave someone the most incredible gift, and they thanked you politely. But then they threw it aside. How would you feel, especially if you sold everything you had to get that gift?
Think of what God has done. He has given everything he possibly could to give us the gift of Jesus Christ. Parents know how hard it is to watch their children suffer. We know that if ever there were an opportunity, we would gladly trade places with them when they’re sick or going through hardships.
Imagine, then, how difficult it was for God the Father to send his son to Earth and watch people mistreat him throughout his life. It seems as though the only place where there ever was room for Jesus was on a Roman cross. That was the ultimate gift God sent to show his love for us. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, and that gift is available for you right now.
Maybe you have never opened this gift. If not, the greatest gift ever is waiting for you. It is not under your Christmas tree. It’s right in front of you. It is the forgiveness of every sin you have ever committed, the guaranteed hope that you will go to heaven when you die, and the assurance that you will have meaning and purpose in life.
I don’t know what state your life is in this Christmas. Maybe your marriage is falling apart, your family is torn asunder, and you are only reminded of that at this time of year. Or perhaps there are other issues you’re grappling with, and you’re not a happy person right now.
The message of Christ’s birth is that he came to bring hope, healing, and salvation to you and me. That sweet little baby, born in the manger in Bethlehem, lived a perfect life, went to the cross, died for us and rose again three days later.
We love that sweet baby in the manger. But he came to die. The shadow of the cross hung over that cradle in Bethlehem. From the moment Jesus came to this earth, he was headed for a certain goal, and he wouldn’t let anyone or anything keep him from it. And because he reached that goal, we can have forgiveness today.
Content created by the WND News Center is available for re-publication without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
SUPPORT TRUTHFUL JOURNALISM. MAKE A DONATION TO THE NONPROFIT WND NEWS CENTER. THANK YOU!
