This week's Bible Study - December 23, 2007
Celebrating the Savior's Birth
 Background Scripture:
Luke 2:4-12, 16-20
Quote of the Week:
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”
Thomas J Peters
When we think of the problems experienced when the birth of Christ was announced, we generally think of what Mary faced, as she was found to be with child while still a virgin. She was engaged to Joseph and they had plans for a beautiful life together. However, when she became pregnant, things changed. Many people probably looked at the couple and came to the conclusion that they were in sin. Mary knew that she had done nothing wrong, and Joseph had to either believe her and stick by her or move on. An angel had spoken to Joseph in a dream and ensured him that this child was a child of God.
Joseph had to put all of the thoughts that likely had come into his head behind him and go forward with life. How many times do we refuse to accept what has happened in the past, allowing that to impact our present and future? Perhaps something did happen that was not our fault at all, and rather than getting past it, forgiving others, we rob ourselves and others of the potential joy to come.
This lesson speaks of the celebration that comes with the birth of Christ. There is no other birth that has occurred in the history of mankind that is more cause for celebration than the birth of Christ. When a family has a baby, there is cause for celebration among the friends and family. However, the birth of the Savior impacts all of mankind. As we near Christmas of this year, are you celebrating?
After life got as close to normal as you could expect, Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judah. There was a census that was to be taken and everyone had to go to his own town to register. Joseph was of the house and line of David, so he went to Bethlehem. Isn't it a coincidence that this miraculous pregnancy just happened to occur at the time of a census such that Joseph and Mary would have to go to Bethlehem, the city that was prophesied for the Messiah to be born?
Mary, although very near to giving birth, went with Joseph to Bethlehem. In this passage (and in many childhood stories), we learn about how full the city was and how there was no room in any inn. Occasionally you can get a sense of this when a large convention or sporting event comes to a city. They were given a stable with a manger. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. Can you imagine how difficult childbirth must have been in a stable? Can you imagine what was going through the heads of these new parents, as they brought a new life into this world, in a way that had never happened before?
Shepherds were out in the fields, doing their business as they had done for centuries upon centuries. Likely these were the shepherds who kept watch over the animals that were used for sacrifice in the temple. The shepherding business was among the least respected, boring jobs in the world. You may not think your job is interesting - or that your day at school is anything to write home about or so forth. However, compared to the life of the shepherd - you have much going for you.
They were doing what they always did - and suddenly, an angel appeared to them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid - terrified, actually. With the announcement of the birth of Christ and all of the events around it - there were many angel sightings - to Zechariah and Mary and the shepherds and probably others. It wasn't a common occurrence. Their dark night was all of sudden lit up with the glory of the Lord.
The angel told them to not be afraid, as the angel was bringing them good news of great joy for all people. Today, in Bethlehem (the town of David), the Savior has been born and he is Christ the Lord. They were to find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. First, they were told to not be afraid. The news that they were receiving was good news of great joy for all people. They were told of the birth and given a sign to find the baby.
Isn't it even more interesting now that this baby was not born to a king or a religious leader or someone with fame? Isn't it interesting that the baby was not born in a hospital or even a house - but in a barn? Isn't it interesting that the ones who were first told of the birth were not newspaper and TV reporters, or soldiers or priests or royalty, but the lowest of the low - the shepherds? This good news of great joy was starting at the bottom. Who would have thought that it could change the world?
The shepherds got the news and were told where to find the baby and the stillness of the night was pierced by a great company of the heavenly host appearing with the angel (this must have been the first backup singers) - praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Then, the angels left - and the shepherds were left with the dark stillness of the night. What must have gone through their mind - WOW! What was that all about? They decided to go to Bethlehem to see what they had heard about. They had a choice to make - surely we would all say that we would go and see - but would we? Sometimes, we read the stories of the Bible and we picture what we would do - we wouldn't make the mistakes they made or we would have believed Jesus early in his ministry or …. I would contend that we wouldn't. Most of us can look at our spiritual resume and find that we struggle to do the things we've been called to do - and many of us fail. This choice they made was a huge undertaking. We should be willing to do the same when God clearly speaks to us.
So, the shepherds hurried off to Bethlehem and they found Mary and Joseph and the baby, lying in the manger. I don't know if there were only a couple of stables or if there were many of them - but the shepherds didn't seem to have any problems finding it. Maybe they knew people in town that helped them or maybe they just knew the town. At any rate, they found the baby that the angel had spoken of.
When they saw the child, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child. All who heard were amazed at what the shepherds said. I would imagine that everybody's hearts were open to hear, as the shepherds likely had problems getting people to listen to them on most days. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Each of these events helped give more and more validation into what God was doing in each of their lives.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and what they had seen - and how it all lined up. Then, they went back to their fields to do their job - but they had been changed. Suddenly, they had a lot more to think about than they had in the previous hours.
Closing
We've all heard the story over and over. We know what happened at Christmas, with the birth of the child. Some wonder why they need to study the story again. God's word speaks to us in different ways at different times in our lives. There is more to be gained than just knowing the 'facts'.
Joseph and Mary were faithful to follow where God led them, even when it didn't make sense. Mary had a dilemma - a virgin with child. Joseph had a dilemma - his fiancé with child (not his). But, they listened to what God had said, through an angel and a dream, and followed through. Are we faithful when we can't see the reasons why? Sometimes, yes, but we've all missed the boat at times. We need to learn to follow their example and allow God to work in our lives.
Everyone was going about their business as God worked. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register for the census. They didn't sit and wait for God to do something - but they kept up with life. The shepherds were doing their jobs in the fields - and God spoke. None of this was at the temple - none was by the religious establishment, yet God was still at work. What does God say to you in your normal business? How does God speak while you are at home, or at work? How does God speak through dealings with neighbors and friends?
What does God want to say to you, and are you always listening? We know that we can learn much of what God wants to do in our lives, but many of us have a hard time finding the time to even read God's word. We may watch hours of TV, or read magazines or do work around the house or spend time in recreation or whatever - what does that say about our priorities? Do we really want to hear what God says? I believe that God will use his word, along with other things in our lives to speak to us.
The shepherds heard and acted. They found the baby and then the told people what had happened. This should be a key ingredient of our lives with other believers. When God acts in your life, who do you tell? Sometimes, God works in your life to help another, but if you are silent, then how can it help. Likewise, God may be at work in the life of someone else at church or elsewhere - are you paying attention to how God is working there? We often have preconceived notions of what God wants to say, and if it isn't in that way, we don't bother listening.
The birth of Christ is the most remarkable event - God sent his Son to redeem us. Don't take it for granted. Celebrate the birth of the Savior, and do as Mary did - ponder what God has done in your heart - and let it impact your life.
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