What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Maybe you enjoy shopping or baking cookies. Maybe it’s catching your favorite film over a mug of hot chocolate. Maybe it’s decorating the tree with family and driving around to see the best lights and most festive displays.
In the midst of the Christmas season, sometimes we prioritize these traditions over the true meaning of the holiday. It may come across as simple to us, that Jesus was born, but let’s not miss the miracles. Jesus, the Son of God, being fully man and fully God, came to earth. For the first time, heaven came down to save us from our sins. Instead of us seeking God, he sought us. And going all the way back to Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, God knew the plan he had. Throughout the Old Testament, we read prophecies of Jesus’s coming and every single one was fulfilled.
While there is nothing specifically bad or evil in practicing the commercial side of Christmas, it mustn’t take center stage. We must keep our focus on celebrating Jesus, the miracles that led to his birth, and who he is as our Savior. He came for all people, not just you and me. And when I let that sink in, I want everyone to know.
2 Corinthians 5:15 reminds us that “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them” (NLT). Jesus came to earth not just for you and me, but for everyone. He lived and died so now everyone has access to eternal life through him!
This Christmas, it’s about how we show up for Jesus. How we respond to Christmas sets the trajectory for our lives. Will we reject Jesus or praise and welcome him? We can be like King Herod, who was threatened by Jesus’s power, and run away (Matthew 2). Or we can embrace Jesus, no matter our social status, our finances, our family, or our background. I want to focus on two different groups of people who were available and present for Jesus after learning of his birth. When we show up for Jesus, we see the goodness and glory of the Lord. We remember that the Lord can and will orchestrate miracles. We gain evidence of His presence, of His power, and His pursuit of us.
1. The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
The first people to visit Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, were shepherds. The angel of the Lord appeared to them, telling the shepherds of Christ’s birth. In verses 10-12, the angel never explicitly commands the shepherds to visit Jesus; he only tells them where to find their Savior. The shepherds went “with haste.” Some translations use the phrase “hurried off.” They didn’t hesitate; they just went to Jesus. They were watching over their sheep that night and could have stayed in the fields to ensure their flocks’ safety. What if they left and the sheep were devoured by wolves? What if the sheep ran away? But instead of questioning the “what ifs” and watching their lambs, they fearlessly and courageously went to welcome the Lamb of God.
The shepherds, the lowest, and poorest of society, were the first to see Jesus. Why would God choose them? For the same reason he allowed Jesus, King of Kings, to be born in a manger. God didn’t want the distractions of fame and fortune to take the focus off of his son Jesus. He didn’t want the richest, most prideful leaders to visit Jesus first because they would only make it about themselves. God wanted people with humble hearts to come and see Jesus, so they could truly appreciate the blessing of his life. He wanted people who would tell others about him, rather than talking about themselves. Jesus came for everyone; the world needed to know!
In verses 17-18, the shepherds shared the news and experience they had. Everyone who heard it was amazed. The shepherds didn’t tell the story from a place of pride, making it all about themselves. They told of what God has done.
2. The Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)
Some time later, the Magi from the East saw the star that confirmed of Jesus’s birth. This detail is a fulfilled prophecy in Micah 5. Commentaries estimate that it took the Magi a year or so to get to Jesus. Barnes describes the Magi as “philosophers, priests, or astronomers. They lived chiefly in Persia and Arabia. They were the learned men of the Eastern nations, devoted to astronomy, to religion, and to medicine. They were held in high esteem by the Persian court, were admitted as counsellors, and followed the camps in war to give advice[1].”
Unlike the shepherds, these wise men were wealthy and higher up in society. They brought expensive gifts to Jesus and had direct contact with King Herod.
And even with their riches, God still chose the Magi to stand in front of baby Jesus and worship him. If they had all they needed, why would God send them to see Jesus? Because of their humility. They may have had more than the shepherds, but they laid it all at the feet of Jesus when they first saw him (v. 11). They did not boast. They did not arrogantly make the situation about themselves. The Magi willingly offered it all to Jesus. They were generous and obedient in giving gifts to their Savior.
The Magi didn’t tell Herod about Jesus’s location. The shepherds told everyone, but the Magi didn’t. In verse 12, we learn that this is because God came to them in a dream and warned them against Herod. Had the Magi gone back to Herod, he might’ve killed Jesus to avoid having a threat to his throne. The context here is different: while the shepherds told of Jesus to save others’ lives, the Magi had to keep from telling of Jesus to save his life. The Magi obeyed God, without questions or hesitation.
Reflection
No matter where we find ourselves today, whether we relate more to the shepherds or the wise men, Jesus came for us! Whether or not we see or fully internalize it, we all will stand before Jesus one day. It’s not about what we have or don’t have. It’s about how we use our gifts for the Lord and how we obey him. Let us be people who follow and obey Jesus, even when it means abandoning the things of the world. Let us approach him with humble hearts and all we have.
Questions to consider:
Will we marvel at Jesus like the shepherds and share the good news? Or will we keep it to ourselves out of pride?
Will we pursue Jesus without hesitation, like the Magi and the shepherds?
Will we humbly give Jesus our crowns and our praise, or will we selfishly hold onto pride and our belongings? Will we give him all, or just part, of what we have?
Will we regard Jesus as the all-powerful King he is? If not, who or what are we worshiping?
Will we obey the Lord before considering our own feelings? Will we obey the Lord, even when it means leaving our comforts behind?
Will we stop and consider the miracles that God has done this Christmas? Or will we get caught up in commercialism?
References:
Consider the Joy 
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