Scenes from Christ's Birth

“Christmas Is Cancelled.” That would be an appropriate headline describing a law that passed in Boston. The text of the law said, “It is ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like… shall pay for every such offense…a fine to the county.”

The fine for celebrating Christmas was set at five shillings per offence, and the law was passed on May 11, 1659. The law was enacted primarily because of the influence of the Puritans at that time.

The Puritans were known for their devotion to God and to the Bible and to personal holiness, so why would they enact a law banning Christmas? The answer comes when we understand how the people of that generation celebrated Christmas. It wasn’t that the Puritans didn’t care for the coming of Christ. But they saw that for most people Christmas was another excuse to have a party and cause trouble.

The law stated that its purpose was “For preventing disorders arising in several places within the jurisdiction.” It also linked the celebrations to observances that were “superstitiously kept in other countries to the great dishonor of God and offence of others.”

According to historians, Christmas in the Middle Ages and into the 17^th and 18^th centuries looked less like a quiet family celebration and more like Mardi Gras. People gorged themselves with food. People got drunk. People were rowdy. People dressed up as animals. They gambled, and some even went door to door threatening to vandalize people’s homes.

Instead of referring to Christmas as a “Yuletide” celebration, the Puritans called it “Foolstide.” It was a time of foolish, irresponsible behavior. One author says it was basically “a pagan festival with a Christian veneer.” One Puritan said, “Men dishonor Christ more in the twelve days of Christmas than in all the twelve months besides.” Another Puritan preached a sermon saying this: “The feast of Christ’s nativity is spent in reveling, dicing, carding, masking, and in all licentious liberty…by mad mirth, by long eating, by hard drinking, by lewd gaming, by rude reveling!”

So, pushing back on the culture, the Puritans decided that they would keep their shops and their schools open as usual, and Christmas would be a day of fasting and humility.

We’re now several centuries removed from that period, and I don’t many Christians are opposed to having Christmas marked as a holiday on the calendar. But the story of the Puritans banning Christmas gives us a good reminder that the main question for this season is not: “Do you celebrate Christmas?” Two better questions would be: “Why do you celebrate Christmas?” and, “How do you celebrate Christmas?”

It’s not inherently wrong to enjoy time off from work or school. It’s not inherently wrong to enjoy a fun time with family and friends and tasty food and meaningful gifts. But we should remember that none of those things is inherently Christian either. None of that is our highest priority in life or at Christmas.

As members of the family of God through Jesus Christ, what we remember and celebrate at Christmas is an event in human history with eternal value. God fulfilled His promised plan and came to earth. Christmas is about the arrival of Jesus the Son of God.

It’s a story that, I’m sure, is familiar to many of you, and it should be. You might have heard it since you were a child. This story was recorded by the Apostles of Jesus, moved by the Holy Spirit, so that every generation would hear it. It’s been transmitted not just because of how important it is, or how amazing it is, but because God’s plan is that it be proclaimed. One of the major components of the story is proclamation. God wants this message to be told.

As we look at the story today, I want you to keep in mind that the main element of the story is not the plot or the emotional elements in the story. The significance of Christmas is found in the identity of the One who was born.

We’re going to look at Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus Christ. Since this is a message that God intended to be proclaimed, it makes sense that what moves the story forward is proclamation. In every major scene you have someone telling someone else who this Child is. And that’s what matters most. We celebrate, as the people of God, because of who Jesus is and what He does.

With regard to Jesus’ birth, we are going to see four major scenes this morning, and each scene includes a proclamation and highlights an important characteristic of Jesus Christ.

Let’s start with our first scene in Luke chapter 1, verse 30. Luke 1:30. The first scene we could simply title, “Gabriel tells Mary.” Gabriel tells Mary.

Mary is probably somewhere between 14 and 18 years old, and she is betrothed, or legally engaged, to a man named Joseph. One day, the angel Gabriel appears to her with a message she never expected.

Luke 1:30—And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

I understand the shock and the prophetic significance of a virgin giving birth, but in Gabriel’s message, that miracle only serves to highlight the focus of his announcement. Gabriel’s primary message is on the identity of this Baby. Gabriel’s announcement point us to the eternal rule of Jesus Christ. The eternal rule of Jesus Christ.

He will be given the throne of David, and He will rule forever.

This is what the Israelites had been waiting for for centuries. Rather than stay under the oppression of a foreign nation, they wanted to be free. They wanted the glory experienced by David and Solomon, and they wanted it to be permanent.

The social and political problems Israel found itself in were really an expression of a deeper problem—the problem of disobedience to God. David’s and Solomon’s reign, despite all its glory, came to an end because of sin. The line of David was a constant reminder that God will not leave sin unaddressed. But its former glory was also a reminder that one day an eternal Rule would come with eternal glory.

Mary’s child would fill that promised role. He would be King forever in the line f David. And Mary humbly accepts the plan of God for her life.

After Gabriel makes his announcement to Mary, we come to a second announcement, which is the second scene in our story today. This time Mary tells Elizabeth. Mary tells Elizabeth.

This starts in verse 39 of Luke 1. Mary, in her excitement hurries to Elizabeth’s home, and as Mary enters the home, Elizabeth understands that Mary is carrying the promised Savior. Then Mary responds with a song of praise to God. This is how she announces what God is doing through her Child.

Gabriel’s message to Mary pointed to the eternal rule of Jesus. Mary’s message to Elizabeth points to His merciful restoration. Jesus will bring a merciful restoration.

Now, even though Jesus hasn’t been born yet, Mary’s praise is in the past tense, which highlights her certainty that God’s plan will come to pass. This world will be restored. Injustice will be made right. Look at verse 46.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; [49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. [51] He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; [52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; [53] he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. [54] He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, [55] as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Gabriel’s message to Mary pointed out that Jesus is the eternal King. Mary’s message to Elizabeth reminds us that Jesus is merciful, powerful, and faithful. He is going to bring restoration. He is going to judge the proud and the wicked, and He will exalt the lowly who trust in Him. He is going to fulfill God’s promises.

Aren’t there things in your own life and in this world that you wish could be fixed? Like Mary and Elizabeth, we all see wicked people who prosper and righteous people who suffer. We see injustice in the world. That’s because we live in a world under the curse of sin.

But the on the very day that sin entered the human race, and this world was cursed, God made a promise that one day a man would come to defeat Satan and undo the curse. Wars will come to an end, and righteousness will flourish.

This is what every political party or system promises, but none of them can deliver it. They don’t have the power to do it, and they don’t have the eyes to see what’s really wrong with this world.

The fundamental problem with this world isn’t going to be fixed with new laws or new systems put in place. The greatest problem isn’t between political parties or warring nations. Mankind’s greatest threat is God Himself. We deserve judgment for our sin. And that sin is embedded into our very nature. We can’t fix it. Only God can do that, and He does it through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only true sacrifice for sin. Mary believed that God would provide a sacrifice, and that’s why she rejoices in God her Savior. As He has promised, God will mercifully restore sinners to Himself and bring a blessing to the world.

As most of you know, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem because of a mandatory census. And while they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. This is what we read in Luke chapter 2.

The night Jesus was born there came a third proclamation. First, Gabriel tells Mary, then Mary tells Elizabeth. Now, number three: The Angels Tell the Shepherds. The angels tell the shepherds.

Look with me at Luke chapter 2, verse 10. Luke 2:10. A glorious light shines, and the shepherds are terrified. And then, an angel speaks. Verse 10.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Gabriel pointed to Jesus’ eternal rule. Mary pointed to His merciful restoration. The angels here point to Christ’s global redemption. His global redemption.

Jesus was born in a little town in Israel, but His blessing was never intended for just one nation. The first angel to appear said that he has joyful news for “all the people.” This is a global blessing. Salvation is coming to the world!

When all the other angels appear, they say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” Because of Jesus, men, women, and children from every nation of the world are going to finally be at peace with God.

Which people are going to get that peace? It will be the people with whom God is pleased. Literally, we could say “the men of goodwill” or “men of pleasure,” or “men of delight.”

That could be a reference to the joy men will feel when they are at peace with God, but I think it’s better to understand this as a reference to God delighting in His people.

Forgiveness and salvation is not strictly a legal transaction. This is not like having a loan paid off to some business in another state. This is the reuniting of a prodigal son to his father. God, as our heavenly Father, rejoices when a sinner repents! God delights in the redemption of sinners! He takes pleasure in the salvation of a sinner!

Through Jesus, God is reconciling to Himself people from every tribe and tongue an nation. How? Because he united them eternally to Jesus Christ. His perfect righteousness is credited to their account. His death satisfies the justice of God on their behalf. And His resurrection power is granted to them. This is happening all over the world.

We need to be very careful about privatizing Christmas and privatizing salvation. It’s not just about you. It’s not just about your family. And it’s not just about our church. God has a global plan. It’s that plan that got the message here in the first place. News went from Israel all the way to California because that was God’s plan.

If you have trusted in the death and resurrection of Jesus. If you have bowed before Jesus the King, you are part of a global family. All around the world, Christians gather to worship Jesus and praise Him for what He has accomplished and for what He will accomplish one day to finish God’s plan.

We need to have that same mindset in our own lives. We’re all in the same country, but we go out into different neighborhoods and schools and places of work. And our part there as the salt and light of the world is to showcase God’s righteousness and proclaim God’s kingdom. God will use you and me to bring people to Himself from wherever we go.

This is why we help support missionaries. This is why churches send out leaders to plant new churches. It’s all so that more and more people around the world will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. He will bring a global redemption.

Not everyone is going to be saved, but people will be saved from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. This is God’s plan. And He will use us to make it happen.

In fact, proclamation is exactly what the shepherds do in response to the message. Once the angels leave, the shepherds run to find the newborn Baby. They find a baby lying in a manger, and that is a confirmation of the message. Then, they proclaim and confirm the message to everybody there This was no ordinary child.

Luke 2:17-18 says—And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

This was, and continues to be God’s plan. The message of Jesus must go out. It will go out. The angel tells Mary, and Mary tells Elizabeth. Then the angels tell the shepherd, who continue passing it forward.

As we wrap up the story of Luke 2, we find one final scene of proclamation. Forty days after

Our final scene in today’s story comes forty days after Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph travelled to Jerusalem to be ritually cleansed in accordance with the Law of Moses. I’ll call this section, “The Prophets Tell the People.” The prophets tell the people.

As they enter into the temple courtyard, there is an old man named Simeon who had been told by God that before he died, he would see the Messiah. And when he sees Joseph and Mary with their one-month-old baby boy, he immediately knows this is Him.

Look at Luke 2:28. It says: he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, [29] “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; [30] for my eyes have seen your salvation [31] that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, [32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” [33] And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

Simeon echoes all the truths we’ve seen before, but he adds one final characteristic of Jesus Christ. This is the Savior. This is the eternal King. This is the one who will bring restoration. This is the one who will bless Israelites and Gentiles. And, finally, Simeon points to the divisive revelation of Jesus. The divisive revelation.

In verse 32, he refers to Jesus as “a light.” That’s talking about hope, but it also points to revelation. Jesus is coming as a light to a dark world. He is going to teach. He is going to show the world what God is like. That’s why Jesus later said, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.”

But in verse 34, Simeon continues—And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed [35] (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

In other words, although Jesus is going to be the Savior of the world, but He is also going to be a polarizing and divisive figure. And that’s obviously true emotionally in terms of how the world responds to Him, but it’s also true eternally. Christ will either cast you into hell forever, or He will exalt you into eternal glory.

You will fall, or you will rise. And the difference is how you have responded to Jesus Christ. You will see Jesus for yourself one day, either in death, or when He returns, and every secret in your hearts will be exposed. Either you have loved Him and will love Him forever, or you have rejected Him, and He will reject you forever.

On the one hand, Jesus brings joy and peace to the world, but He also said He came to bring a sword. He came to divide. Before His peace comes over this entire planet, His sword will come and cut away all who have rejected His message, refused His lordship, and rebelled against His authority.

Jesus said that the way of judgment is broad, but the way of salvation is narrow. It’s only found in surrendering to Him. But God gives salvation freely by His grace, if you will humble yourself and call out for mercy.

For those of us who know that God has opened our hearts to Him, we respond like a second prophet that was there that day, or better stated, a prophetess. Her name was Anna, and she was a widow. Look at verse 38, and this is where we’ll end. Here’s how Anna responded.

Luke 2:38—And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

That’s what it looks like to truly celebrate Christmas. We give thanks to God for Jesus, and we speak of him to all.

You’re going to go back to work and back to school. And I assume someone is going to ask something like, “How was your Christmas?” That’s an open to door to express your gratitude for what Jesus has done and to tell someone about Him.

Christmas is not about Hollywood magic. It’s not about the magic of falling snow. Christmas is a reminder of the true hope we have in Jesus Christ. As true as that little Baby was born in humility, He will come again in glory. He will finish what He began.

May our celebrations now this Christmas season be a preview and a glimpse of the joy that is to come. May we celebrate with true expectation and anticipation, and may that spirit be with us every day of the year.