The birth of Christ occurred approximately 400 years after the end of the Old Testament, and the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied His birth 700 years before He was born Matthew Two focuses on the story of the Magi (three wise men). I wondered what would have happened differently if it had been Three Wise Women? To begin with, they probably would have asked for directions and arrived on time; they would have brought some onesies, and receiving blankets; they would have cleaned, vacuumed, and dusted the stable; they would have attended to Mary and helped deliver the Baby Jesus; and then they would have made a casserole so Mary wouldn’t have to cook.
Like us, for many, it is an expectant and hopeful time and reminds me of a story I read some time ago: “On the night before Christmas, a young father scolded his 3-year-old daughter for having wasted expensive gold tasseled ribbon on a Christmas present. The next day however, she gave him the present, a box wrapped with the golden tasseled ribbon. When he opened the box, he saw there was nothing in it and began to tell her off.
“You can’t give an empty box as a Christmas present,” he said, “It must have something in it. “His daughter started to cry and wept uncontrollably: “Daddy, the box is full – it’s full of kisses and love for you.”
It is so easy to miss the present if we are looking for something different. Might I suggest that this Christmas you stop and don’t miss Him. Think about who He is and what He wants to give you.Take stock of WHO this baby really is, what He offers you.
Too many people miss the Baby because they are afraid of the cost or losing control, and some are just plain afraid. People miss Him because they are not willing for Jesus to be crowned as King in their lives, so they miss out. Will you miss the baby Jesus this Christmas? Will you just too busy? Will you miss The Son of God because of your indifference? Will you miss Him because you feel vulnerable or threatened by Him?
The real meaning behind a bassinet in a stable – of the shepherds kneeling - the Magi - the story of the angels – or the star
Pastor Ron Biddle
in the sky is this: Jesus is the Son of Almighty God who came to earth as a baby . . . the Son of Mary, and following God’s will, whoever receives the Son . . . gets all the rest . . . all that God has to offer.
The message this Christmas is not just about giving and receiving presents. It’s not just about the turkey and dressing, pecan pie, or being with family as great as those are. BUT it is about God sending His Son into the world to redeem the World and to be in relationship with Him. Jesus came to this world as a baby, lived a perfect life on earth, and died on a Cross to bring us into right relationship with the Father. It is God’s idea and God’s plan for us to receive Him.
The real message today is this: it is easy to miss the real present if we are looking for something different.
Are you willing to receive Him this Christmas – as your Savior? Don’t miss the Baby . . . whoever receives the Son . . . gets it all!
Always in His Service, Pastor Ron Pastor, Fellowship Church of the Nazarene