Questions about the Relevance of Christmas
By all accounts, looking at detail from Scripture itself…all appears haphazard, chaotic out of control. To put it simply in one couple of words… ‘a mess’
- The journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem seems ‘reactionary’ – responding to Caesar Augustus’ dictates for all the be counted in the town of their birth
- The journey at worst possible time for Mary – heavily pregnant and away from family network
- Hopeless accommodation – Bethlehem swamped with visitors to be registered – no room at inn
- Most unsuitable birthing conditions.. an animal shelter with a manger and hay for cot
ADD to that Jesus and His parents then become refugees and flee to Egypt and later can’t go home
- The menace of Herod
- Murder of numerous infants
YET there was nothing haphazard about it ““I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2, NIV84)
- NOTHING HAPHAZARD ABOUT CHRISTMAS
- THE WONDER OF JESUS’ BIRTH
- BORN ‘UNDER THE LAW’ TO SET US FREE
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Luke 2:1–19 (NIV84)
1In 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.)
3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So 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.
5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When 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.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
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Text
Galatians 3:26–4:7 (NIV84)
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.
2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.
4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
