Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here.
Welcome to “Sparkle Season!” This year, it started earlier when we jumped from Halloween to Christmas and skipped over Thanksgiving. Speaking of which, I hope you are having a Happy Turkey weekend.
Since Christmas is in full swing (I refuse to say “holiday”), let’s read a dramatic story as we gather around the fireplace. (In South Florida, that means a TV screen with continuous picture-perfect fire and crackling logs sounds.)
This Bible story builds to a crescendo with a series of unique supernatural events, including blessings, highs, lows, traumas, and threats. The main characters were an engaged couple from a religious group known as Jews (or the “children of Israel”) who believed in only one Almighty God. The Jews yearned to be free from the oppressive pagan Roman Empire.
Commercial Break: “Holiday sale - 20 percent off everything made in China!” On Dec. 1, who is already tired of Christmas ads? Once again, “It’s the Lexus December to Remember Sale.” I ask, “What does a gigantic red bow on an overpriced Japanese car have to do with the birth of Jesus?” Back to the story…
The betrothed couple lived in Nazareth, where the teenage girl with the Hebrew name “Miriam” (anglicized as Mary) was stunned by an angelic visitor named Gabriel. “Greetings,” he said, “you are highly favored. The Lord is with you.” Then tells her, “Do not be afraid!” But of course, she is when Gabriel says:
“Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1: 29-33). (For the millionth time, I am prompted to ask, “Why have my people rejected that truth?”)
Shocked, Mary asked the obvious question, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” God’s messenger replied with a divine answer:
“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1: 34-35).
Gabriel also reminded Mary, “For nothing is impossible with God.” After hearing about her “impossible” impending pregnancy, Mary responded with a world-changing statement that set a high bar for godly obedience:
“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
Mary demonstrated obedience and trust in the Lord, knowing her life had become complex and scandalized.
Commercial Break: “Christmas dog and cat costumes are selling fast! No naked pets at holiday parties!”
We are back with Mary’s fiancé Joseph, who, upon hearing the “impossible news,” contemplates “divorce” since the couple was legally bound. The angel Gabriel — assumed, not named — appeared to Joseph in a dream with a godly command:
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Joseph did not verbally respond but was silently obedient to the Lord:
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus” (Matthew 1: 24-25).
Holy Commercial Break: Suggest that you read Vol. 91, “Is Jesus’s Earthly Father Under-Appreciated?” Joseph has no speaking parts throughout the New Testament, so we never “hear” his voice. However, he was always the “strong, silent type” and the perfect servant to God and Mary.
Continuing… As the unborn Jesus neared his birthday, Joseph and Mary were forced to take an arduous journey to Bethlehem, the town of David, since Joseph descended from David’s line. Emperor Caesar Augustus dictated their travel so he could count heads for tax purposes.
What follows are the most significant contrasts in Jesus’s birth story, which birthed a famous Bible quote/cliché, “No room at the inn.”
In Bethlehem, with many travelers and few Holiday Inns, Jesus, “the holy one” born to be “called the Son of God,” was also destined to be born humble in an animal stable. That lowly birthplace signified Jesus was not earthly royalty. (Remember, at his trial, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”)
Despite the rough setting, God gave His Son a heavenly birthday present — the brightest star in the universe, symbolizing that Jesus is “the light of the world.”
Near Jesus’s birthplace, the angels celebrated with the lowly shepherds in the fields. Luke wrote:
“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” (Luke 2:13-14).
Matthew’s gospel recorded that celestial activity was seen by the Magi traveling from the east, who followed a star over Bethlehem. When the Magi arrived, they asked:
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When the Magi found the Holy Family, they presented them with lavish gifts that later provided Mary and Joseph with much-needed financial resources for their sudden and unexpected move.
Once again, the unnamed angel Gabriel met Joseph in a dream. This time, he warned that his family had to flee to Egypt since Herod wanted to kill the newborn “king,” whom he perceived as a rival. They quickly escaped unharmed and lived in Egypt for unknown years until Joseph had another dream, informing him it was safe to return to Israel.
This Christmas birth story illustrates how the Lord protected His Son. Although Jesus would die on the cross, He triumphed over death and “will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
This story has sparked over-the-top commercialization far detached from biblical events. One could say, “no room at the [holiday] inn” led to calling His birthday “holiday” instead of Christ “mass” — Latin rooted in the verb “mittere” — “to send” Christ.
And “holiday” translates into suburban home exteriors with megawatt displays of garish-colored blinking lights, dripping white icicles, and giant blow-up Santas to compete in the neighborhood decorating contest. While great fun to witness, it distracts from the meaning of Jesus’s humble birth, born to “save his people from their sins.”
Therefore, while worshipping the “Amazon” god, consumed with plans, parties, and presents, I repeat, “His kingdom will never end!” Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a future permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. The National Shroud of Turin Exhibit recently hosted a four-day exhibit (with a VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com