As we gather together with family and friends this Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is vital that we remember we are celebrating the birth of a Jewish boy born some 2,000 years ago.
But not just any Jewish boy. A Jewish boy whose coming was foretold by the Old Testament prophets of Israel hundreds of years in advance who would be the Savior not just of the Jews, but of the Gentiles as well. A Jewish boy who would grow up to be 100% man and 100% God. A Jewish boy who would live a sinless life (and yet still be tempted by the same things you and I are tempted by), who would begin a preaching ministry around the age of 30 and who, three years later, would suffer the most cruel death imaginable – crucifixion on a Roman cross – only to rise again on the third day.
A Jewish boy who would literally split time in two.
Think about it: we just celebrated the close of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. Why? Because the history of the world is divided by the time before the birth of Christ and time after the birth of Christ. When you sit and ponder it, that thought it really is awesome: of all the kings and queens that have ever reigned; of all the parliaments that have ever sat; of all the dictators that have ever brutalized their people and the world; of all the presidents that have ever been elected; of all the armies, navies and air forces that have ever battled; of all the great thinkers, scientists, inventors, writers, doctors, and engineers that have ever lived; of all the prophets that have ever walked this earth; none of them have had the impact and power to split time in two.
That must make this Jewish boy – Jesus – something special. For the Christians of this world He is very special – he is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. For the non-believers of this world He is still the Son of God and the Savior of mankind even though they do not recognize Him as such.
With thanks in advance to my editors for allowing me to recount the simple Christmas story as it is recorded in the Bible, herewith is that story, told by Luke, from the New Testament book of Luke, chapter 2, verses 1-20:
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 their 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 guest room available for them.
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 the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven,
and on earth peace to those 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.”
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.
Merry Christmas Macedonia!