Monday, December 19, 2011

Dig Deeper-A Closer Look At The Christmas Story

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39 "You have but just begun the study of God's Holy Word. You have picked up some gems of truth, which, with much toil and many prayers, have been dug up by others; but the Bible is full of them; make that book your earnest study...." Testimonies for the Church vol.4 p.376  E.G.W. Let us dig deeper-into the Christmas story. Four points we find in it upon closer examination-
1) Israel knew- Simeon, a prophet identified the Messiah in front of the priest And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:25-30,32

 
And then a prophetess Anna And there was one Anna, a prophetess, ... she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38
And the humble, peasant shepherds And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:8,10-12,17-18
And the Magi, the wise men from the east, from a heathen land. They had studied the Hebrew prophecies looking for the coming of the Messiah. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:1-5,7,9-10
So Israel had been warned of His arrival They talked of it, both the common people and the religious leaders. So too the government leaders. They had been warned by both male and female, the poor and the rich, by fellow Jews and by gentiles. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:5,11

2) He would be honored as royalty- At least once, the arrival of the royalty of Heaven would be honored, despite His lowly status as an infant born into humble origins. By gentiles at that, by the wise men, the Magi- And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

3) Planning of God provides- ....behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Matthew 2:13 When the fullness of time came, Christ was born. And He prepared for Joseph and Mary. The gifts of the wise men, the gentiles from a heathen land, would provide the financial resources for them to flee to Egypt and survive until their return to Israel. Little did the Magi know how they had fit into God's plans.

4) Words to Mary- Think about the words of the angel to Mary - And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Luke 1:28