No story has captivated all streams of human endeavor like that of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The very detail given in all parts of the Bible concerning this event are wondrous and very moving. Countless generations have celebrated them and have been profoundly impacted by them. They produce "magic" in the eyes of little girls and boys and never cease to amaze all of us who think deeply upon them. At this time of year we should once again remember that they are: Contextual The Hebrew Prophets spoke time and time again about Messiah's coming. He would be a Prince of Peace, a King, a Prophet, a substitutionary sacrifice and a God-man. Even His birth place was recorded by the Prophet Micah (5:2; see also Psalm 22; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 53). Historical The Gospel writer Luke records exactly the time of his birth. That is, in the days of Herod the Great and during the reign of the Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus (Luke 1:5; Luke 2:1). Moreover, he states that because of a census, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem. This census took place when Quirinius was Governor of Syria (Luke 2:2-5). The facts are clear; Jesus was born in Bethlehem at a time when life was subject to the ebb and flow of day-to-day events. Supernatural Though life was beset with the normal challenges and activity that we face today, God broke in with a supernatural visitation. Angels appeared in song to shepherds abiding with their flocks near Bethlehem, and a wondrous star appeared in the sky guiding kings from the east to the humble cave in which Christ was born (Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 2:1-12). The lesson is clear; the God we serve loves a world that has abandoned Him and He is still willing to find hearts that are tender toward Him. Theological An understanding of these events has to be arrived at. We call this understanding theology. That is; how do we understand this babe who was born in Bethlehem? Is He a man, a prophet or some kind of political activist? The Bible says that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19); and again it states that in Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). He is the unique and only begotten Son of God. He is God in the flesh, and the Kings of the East who came to pay Him homage gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. That is, they recognised His divinity, stressed His sinless, perfect life, and foresaw His death. These are holy and wondrous things. God represents CHARACTER, frankencense represents DEITY and myrrh was used to embalm the body before burial.. -the fact is that HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD....This itself brings all things together, the Historical, the supernatural, and the Theological - THE LORD IS RISEN!
Have a "SHALOM" Season. AF
