An Unexpected Entry

Earlier this evening, we heard the text from Luke 2:1-20 which tells us about the birth of Jesus Christ, to the announcement of the shepherds by the angels, to the arrival of the shepherds to worship the baby. It’s a familiar story for most of us, probably one we’ve heard many times. But have you ever stopped to think about just how strange this story really is?

First, let’s look at some of the proclamations in Scriptures in Isaiah that announce the coming of Jesus, the Messiah?

Isaiah 7:13–17 NIV

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”

Let’s go back to the passage from Isaiah that was read earlier this evening.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

6 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. 7 Of the greatness 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.

Do these prophetic accounts seem like they are a Messiah, a King that would be born in a manger with no fanfare? Do these accounts sound like a Messiah and King that was born to a no-name teenage virgin from no-where?

Let’s look again at the first two verses of Luke 2.

Luke 2:1–2 NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

What about that this Messiah and King was born during the reign of Caesar Augustus who was the most powerful ruler ever known in the Mediterranean world? Think about that. He was ruler over the ENTIRE ROMAN WORLD! The census was about paying taxes - not the way we think of a census today in counting people.

Second, let’s look at verses 5-7:

Luke 2:5–7 NIV

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.

He went there with Mary. Who was Mary? For starters, she was betrothed to Joseph. It is often told that betrothal is similar to our engagement period, however, it was much more than that. To leave a betrothal meant that you had to get a divorce. It brought shame. But to end up pregnant while betrothed? That was a big no no. It was a major violation of societal standards at that time. Typically, that would have likely meant that Mary would have been unfaithful. We know that this was the work of God himself and Joseph believed and followed the Lord’s instructions. However, I can only imagine the scorn, ridicule, talking behind their backs, and probably being shunned by family that Joseph and Mary faced. He could have divorced her and walked away pretty much unscathed, but he didn’t. But who was this Mary who was now the mother of God’s Son?

Well, she must have known the Scriptures as we talked about last Sunday as there are many Scriptural references in her song in Luke 1. Outside of that, we do not know much. It seems like she comes from no where, wasn’t in any important family, anything. But this peasant girl was enough for God to entrust her with his only Son. Wow. Talk about faithfulness!

As if all of this wasn’t enough to minimize the coming of a King, we see in verse 7 that there wasn’t a room for them and he was born in a stable. A smelly, animal filled barn. Wow. Not a kingly way to enter the world.

Then we finally see some fanfare. An angel!

Luke 2:9–14 NIV

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

But they are announcing the birth to some poor shepherds. Shepherds weren’t important people, they weren’t the top of the societal or religious leadership, they literally herded sheep. Not very glamorous. Why didn’t the angel announce it to the important people, the royalty, the religious leaders?

You see, the shepherds went to worship the child, the Messiah, the King of Israel, Emmanuel. They glorified God that they were able to witness something so miraculous and had been foretold.

The religious leaders and many others were looking for the Messiah to come in other ways such as a powerful leader who would overthrow Rome. Some gave up because it had been 400 years since the word of the last prophet. Caesar and those in power were too busy worrying about their own power, influence, and wealth.

As we celebrate the coming of Christ over 2000 years ago, which group do we fall into? Are we like the shepherds who were praising God and glorifying him for bringing the promised Messiah? Are we celebrating the fact that Christ came for us today just as much as he came for the people then? Or are we like the religious leaders who want the Messiah to be part of our narrative and in the little box into which we put him - regardless of what we see in Scripture. Or maybe we are like Caesar and are focused on our power, influence, and wealth and we don’t take the time or divert our attention away from those things in order to see the miracle of Christ coming as a babe so long ago for each and every one of us.

John 1:14 NIV

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Are we paying enough attention to see his glory this Christmas season? I challenge each of us throughout the remainder of this season to slow down and take time to reflect on the miraculous event that brought God’s only Son to earth as fully human and also fully God to be the sacrifice for us. Without the birth, there would have been no cross, no sacrifice for each of us to be reconciled to God.

PRAY