Luke 2: 1 -7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) and everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8-15
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of theLord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Luke 2:16-20
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The prophet Isaiah told the people to expect someone very special, sent by God when he said:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:2,6,7)Jesus' birth was foretold over 700 years before by the prophet Micah when he said:
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)
When you think of it, that's like accurately foretelling the exact village that a future Prime Minister of Britain will be born in the year 2,700!
The truth is that God's people had been prepared for the coming Messiah time and time again - and Jesus fulfils these predictions time and time again, for he alone was and is the Messiah, God's Anointed One.
There is told the story of a man who was walking his dog. As they walked beside a pond he threw a stick into the water for the dog to chase. The dog walked over the top of the water, picked up the stick and walked back! He did it again and the same thing happened! In his excitement the man called a passer-by to watch. He threw the stick, and once again the dog walked across the top of the water and brought it back. ‘Now’ he said to the onlooker, ‘Did you see anything unusual?’ ‘Yes’ said the other, ‘Your dog cannot swim’.
There are some people who cannot see a miracle even when it stares them in the face! Take Christmas for example. So many of us (even in the Church) relegate this festival to "something for the children", or cannot see beyond the repeats of old films on television, cards, presents, carol service and the seemingly everlasting turkey! As adults, have we lost the ability to see beyond all of this, even beyond the images of shepherds tending their flock by night or mysterious visitors to an unfortunate family living in a stable because there was no room for them in any inn? Can we see through the "story" to the real meaning – the miracle of Christmas? For if we can, we may once again be stunned by the fact that the God of all creation loves you an me so much that he sent his only son, his beloved son, to this earth for our sake.
Christmas is not just for the children - it is for each one of us: God’s love ... came down ... at Christmas ... for me! Now there’s a miracle!
