Reading Matthew chapter 2 vs 1-12

They call me a wise man… well I thought I was.

I am a man of the East, and live in a society that believes in all types of deities.

From my youth, I have been fascinated by the ancient writings. Some of these writings were brought to my country by people that came from Israel. They were brought captive to my country many generations ago after failing their God, whom they call Yahweh.

I have heard many stories of great things that these people did; such as Daniel, who survived the whole night in the lions den, Shadrach and his two friends who survived the fiery furnace and Queen Esther, who helped her people survive a devilish plot to destroy them.

They have sacred writings which they read, which talk of the miracles this God did for them. He opened the Red sea and he provided food for up to two million people for forty years.

There is something I don’t understand though… if this God did all this for them, how did they get into such a mess?

This is a queston to ponder.

So as I have searched many sacred writings, I have found the Jewish ones of special interest to me. They fascinate me. They talk of a coming Saviour, a MESSIAH.

These sacred writings have many prophecies, including ones about His birth and even more remarkably about His death.

So my friends and I keep reading and watching. We watch the stars, and when we look at the stars I sit and wonder. How did all this come about… surely a higher power made these.

It was at that time, where myself and my friends spotted a new star. This was something we had never seen before, and unusually it started to move westwards.

We wondered: Was this star to do with the birth of that long promised King in Judea?

Surely not! After all, the Jews had kings over them and were ruled by the Romans.

We saw the star moving. It was calling us, so we decided to set off, and to follow this new bright star, one that was beyond our imagination.

We took food enough for our journey and took three special gifts. After all… we were going to see a King.

We took gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were the best we could give.

So as we followed the star, we came near Israel. Surely the King would be born in Jerusalem, but the writings had said Bethlehem, but we were guided to Jerusalem. I always wondered why.

There we caused quite a stir. The Jewish authorities were amazed to see us, and we were called before Herod.

Who were we and what were we doing here?

We told him about the star and sure enough, their so called holy scribes confirmed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. But they said God hadn’t spoken for four hundred years. Herod and their wise men were perplexed.

They were devious though; Herod told us to go and seek the Child and when we had found Him, come and tell him.

So off we went again and saw the star. What joy! It guided us to where Jesus was. He was there with His mother, He was just an ordinary child, this was the Messiah?

We did what you do to a king? You honour him, you give him worship. We gave Him our gifts, and He was so excited to get them. His mother was a little overwhelmed by it all… she was so young.

We were just about to set off back to Jerusalem, when we had a dream. There were another prophecy about Herod slaughtering all the infants, God warned us not to go back. Herod was telling us a lie.

We managed to arrive back in our own land safe and sound.

We had seen the promised King that God had said would come to save His people. He was just a very young boy, and would grow up like a tender shoot and save all who come to Him in repentance.

People say that I am wise because I look at the stars, because I read the writings of many religions, but you are only wise, when you seek Christ.

Christ is the wisdom and power of God. He alone can save you.

Let the star that never goes out lead you to Christ. It will lead you right to where He is. You can give Him your treasures. Everything you hold dear, you can give into His hands as you worship Him and come in repentance and faith to the foot of the cross.

That little boy, grew into Jesus.

I travelled many miles to see Him.

What will you do to come to Jesus?

What will you give up?

WISE MEN STILL SEEK JESUS

This Christmas seek Jesus… He is alive and there is salvation in no other.

The Shepherds and the Angels 

LUKE CHAPTER 2 

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[d] 

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 

THE LOWLY SHEPHERDS 

We are the lowest of the low. We look after the sheep near Bethlehem, there are thousands of them. 

Many of them are used in sacrifice. Hundreds are fattened ready for Passover each year. 

It’s a lonely job. It’s a boring job. We don’t sleep… we just count sheep. 

Every day it’s the same and every night it’s long and lonely. 

But there was a night like no other! Let me tell you about it! 

I was a young man then, but now I am old. The memory is imprinted of my brain. 

The night is usually dark, lit only by the moon and the stars. 

That night… suddenly, it was like the lights of all the world had been turned on. 

There was a great noise, like the sound of many waters. 

Angels, thousands of them saying: 

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

At first, we were terrified. Fear gripped us. 

But this wasn’t anything to be feared. This was good news. The angels were telling us what many had hoped for; a Saviour, a Redeemer, [was born, who] would he set our people free from Rome. 

At last God was speaking to us. He hadn’t for many years, despite all the sacrifices and offerings we gave. 

The angel told us where to go. Was it to a royal palace? No it was to a lowly stable! This King, this Saviour, was being born in a stable. I don’t get this! 

Then all was quiet. The angels had gone, so we decided to find out for ourselves. Let’s go to the stable. 

We found the stable and sure enough there was the Child, just born. His mother was so young, and hey I know that man… it’s Joseph, the carpenter from Nazareth. 

We stayed a while. It was so touching; the baby cried a little. He snuggled up to His mother. She was holding Him in cloths from the stable. 

We left, and wondered, “Why us?” 

Why not tell our rulers? 

We decided to tell everyone about what we had seen and heard, but despite us telling people the truth, they looked at us and thought we were mad. 

They thought we had been dreaming. After all it does say in Isaiah 53: 1 

Who has believed what he has heard from us?
    And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 

We knew and believed what we saw was true. After all, we heard it from the mouth of angels, the messengers of God. 

My eyes are dim now, but I still remember that night. I remember that Baby safe in His mother’s arms. 

During my time as a shepherd, I have seen millions of sheep, but now I have seen the promised Messiah who came as a Lamb to be slain and to give His life as a ransom for many. 

Sheep… let me tell you are the most disobedient creatures on the planet. They need someone to turn them the right way. They are like us. 

Isaiah 53:6-7: 

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all. 

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
    so he opened not his mouth. 

Like the sheep I once took care of, you and I are disobedient and alienated from God. We need a Saviour. 

Isaac asked Abraham, “Where is the lamb?” 

Abraham answered, “God will provide a lamb.” 

He surely has… His name is Jesus. 

Many years later, I went up to Jerusalem at Pentecost. Some fishermen from Galilee was preaching about Jesus, one born in a stable near Bethlehem. 

It’s Him! I saw Him!  Now I have trusted Him for salvation. 

Once I saw Him in the stable, but now I have Him in my heart. 

This Christmas, you can in repentance and faith, come to know God through the atoning sacrifice of the Baby in the stable, who went to the cross and rose gloriously defeating the power of sin and death forever by His resurrection. 

One final lesson. Remember Christian, that the world will not listen to you. It is oblivious to the truth of the gospel, but like the shepherds and the apostles, we can only say these words. 

ACTS 4 

 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.” 

20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

We tell of salvation by no other way, but by Calvary’s cross. 

We speak of what we have actually experienced in our own lives. 

They can say we are fools, but they cannot disprove the power and boldness of a changed life. 

SO, THIS CHRISTMAS, TELL EVERYONE. 

THAT THE SAVIOUR HAS COME! 

EVEN IF NO ONE BELIEVES YOU 

PREACH THE WORD! 

THE INNKEEPERS STORY

This person had a front row seat to the birth of Jesus, I wonder if he told his story it would go something like this.

It’s been a long day today, my inn which is one of the biggest in Bethlehem is full to overflowing, people have been coming to this small town, they all need somewhere to stay, many come from out of town, they were born here, but have no house or residence here, so they have to stay somewhere.

The inns are all so full, mine included, it’s been a long day, why oh why did the Romans have to start all this census nonsense, they are so precise, but they are our rulers, it does bring in good business for me, money is flowing in.

It’s been a long day, and I try to rest my weary body, but just before I close my eyes, there’s a knock on my door, who could it be so late at night?

Wearily I go down to answer the knocking on my door, under the moonlight, I can see a young man, please help us sir, my wife is heavily pregnant, she is about to give birth and I have been to every other inn in Bethlehem, they all have said there’s no room, please help us.

He is beyond anxious, the pleading look in his eyes, I don’t mean to say this to him, but truly I have no rooms, but I do have a stable where the animal feed, there is hay and straw where you can rest and I can give you some water and a little food.

His eyes light up, thank you so much, so I take him to the stable, there is an oxen and my cows asleep, the couple are just so happy, she can’t be anymore than in her late teens, she has a great glow and he is very attentive to her.

They settle in, my animals have never had human company, they seem fascinated by their new visitors, they soon go back to sleep.

But during that night, well two things happened, first of all, the girl gave birth, her name was Mary, it was a boy, her firstborn, they called him Jesus, and they laid him in the animal trough used for feeding the animals.

Amazingly, they had visitors, you see these shepherds came because they had heard thousands of angels, telling them that the Saviour, would be born in Bethlehem and in my stable. They told everyone, I don’t think many believed them, after all they are shepherds and shepherds are always telling tall stories.

You know, long ago, one of our Prophets Micah told us that the saviour would be born in Bethlehem, I wonder, if this was him.

Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you and me, he came humbly and without any pomp and majesty.

He was born in a  humble stable, no one recognised him, no one wanted to know, he came because we couldn’t get to God, He had to come to us.

Most if not all of the inns in Bethlehem refused entry to Jesus, that’s like the world today, it refuses to accept Jesus, it puts up a no entry sign to Jesus.

Others are like the innkeeper, they put Jesus in the stable, they will accept Jesus in, but place him away from their celebration of life, Jesus you go to the stable, we will celebrate with you outside in the stable.

The shepherds however heard the good news and came to see Jesus and they were transformed, they told everyone.

This Christmas, which one of the three are you like?

Joseph, the other dreamer.

My name is Joseph and I saw it all, I have a wife and several children, all great, but it is the oldest that is beyond remarkable.

His name is Jesus, he is special beyond words, in every way.

Let me tell you my story.

I am a carpenter, I work hard designing and crafting all kinds of things in wood, it is a very skilled job.

My parents were happy when I found a lovely young girl called Mary, a virgin, a sweet girl to be my wife. Preparations for the wedding were going well, when a really big problem arose, she was pregnant, how could this happen？ She told me this amazing story that an angel visited her and said the child was God’s son.

People thought I was crazy, surely I should have her stoned to death, but something stopped me, God does things outside of our thinking you see, he works through humble servants like me and Mary.

I am a thoughtful person and so I decided to get rid of her quietly, but how to do this？ One night I had a dream, God himself spoke to me telling me to marry Mary and not be afraid of anyone.

So I proceeded with our engagement, many in the town objected to Mary, so she went away to Elizabeth her cousin, who was also pregnant after years of trying.

When she returned, we had to go to my hometown of Bethlehem, as I am of the line of David, it was a long and dangerous journey, and Bethlehem was packed out with people, there was no room for us at any inn, one of the innkeepers, kindly gave us his stable and it was there that Jesus was born.

Even more incredible was the visit of the shepherds to us, they too, had heard from angels, my espoused wife had seen an angel and now these shepherds had.

The law demanded we go up to Jerusalem to present Jesus at the temple, we offered the required sacrifice, but we were met by two people who spoke of Jesus in the most amazing way. Both Simeon and Anna, said things so amazing, we are pondering their true meaning years after. 

We settled down to family life, but later on, we had a visit from three magi or astrologers from some far country, they had seen a star and had followed it to our home, they gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and they bowed down  and worshipped him, this child is extraordinary. This is beyond incredible, Jesus was being worshipped by these men, they indeed were wise, because wise men seek and worship Jesus.

 After they had gone back to their home country, another dream told me to go to Egypt, because something the wise men had told King Herod, he was killing all the babies under two years old, so we got out quick.

We returned from Egypt, but being warned in a dream, not to go to Bethlehem, we headed to Nazareth. 

Every year we went to Jerusalem, with our children, when Jesus was twelve, he went missing.

Being the oldest, we thought he was with our party, so we continued to Nazareth, but after checking with all our co-travellers, we found out Jesus was missing.

He is in Jerusalem on his own, his mother and I were beside ourselves with worry, we searched for three days, we asked everyone, no sign of him. Let’s try the temple, oh He will never be in there, we were amazed, there sitting in the midst of the temple was Jesus, asking questions of the leaders of Israel.

No one would ever do that, but HIM.

We scolded him, but he just looked up at us and said

Didn’t you know I would be doing my father’s business

He came back to Nazareth and was and is the perfect son, nothing upsets him, he is subject to us in all things, we couldn’t wish for a better son.

Now tradition tells us that Joseph died, probably before Jesus started his earthly ministry.

What we do know that Joseph was an eye witness of Jesus, he saw him up close and personal.

Jesus was and is unique, he was conceived differently, lived differently, spoke differently, but he was perfectly human and perfectly God.. in human form.

He was tempted in all points like we are, but without sin.

Joseph knew Christ, my question this Christmas is.

Do you know Him?

During his earthly ministry, his family thought he was mad, his mother Mary believed in Him and later two of his half brothers were transformed by the power of his death and resurrection, they called themselves slaves of his.

James and Jude and many others, had his transforming power let loose in their lives, it makes people who are sceptics believers, it makes persecutors like Paul into servants of God.

Trust in Christ’s transforming power this Christmas, Joseph and Mary, James and Jude had their lives transformed, millions and millions have seen their lives transformed.

Jesus came to save his people from their sins, to bring life through his death and resurrection

Trust Him this Christmas.

EMMANUEL     GOD WITH US Matthew 1:23 

What does this mean?  

Today, we will see what this means for us in real life, how does it apply for us today? 

Let’s take every letter of this wonderful word and explore the true meaning of Christmas 

E- Poor Entrance Luke 2:6-7 

First impressions count.. or do they? 

When royalty is born, they are usually born with lots of excitement, they are born in privilege and position. But Jesus was born in a stable and not a palace, he was born to poor parents, he was born in a backwater so to speak. He was not welcomed into the world by many the first time he came. One day, all will see him and be forced to admit that he is Lord of Lords and king of Kings. 

M- Magnificent announcement Luke 2:13-14 

It’s interesting that thousands and thousands of angels announced the birth of Jesus, they must have made such a racket, but no one but the shepherds heard them. The star was up in the sky, but no one saw it but the wise men. Today, we as Christians, make the same magnificent announcement, but very few hear us, we tell of Jesus, but all people want to know of is: Santa, Presents and all the other things that really do not matter. The announcement is being made, but are you hearing it? 

M – Lowly manger 

The stable was the lowest place in the house, it was the place for animals, it must have been smelly and dirty and yet, Jesus was born in a place like that. He left the majesty on high, to come to a place like the stable . It had been prophesised that he would be born this way Micah 5:2. 

The lowering of Jesus was incredible, he came to us, he was a king, but he gave up all that to come to us, he was born like us, he knew hardship right from the moment of his birth. We couldn’t go to God, we have no inclination to go to God, so he came down to us. 

A-Acknowledge Him 

Both the shepherds and the wise men came and worshipped him, Herod was frightened of him and the religious leaders, who knew all about him, were unconcerned, just like the Romans. All these attitudes still exist today, you either reverence and worship him, you are scared because of how he will expose your sin, or you are completely unconcerned and he means nothing to you. Times do not change do they, people’s attitudes to Jesus do not change.  

The most important question is  

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS? 

N- Wonderful name/names Isaiah 9:6 

We all have names, some more than others. But no one has ever been called what Jesus was called, and that was 700 years before his birth.  

He is the wonderful counsellor, one whose wisdom is beyond anything that has been seen before, even from Solomon. 

Whatever your needs are, He is there to help you with His counsel, His truth and by His Spirit.  What do you need counsel for today? 

He is the Mighty God, a name that shows his deity. He is fully God, one with the Father. 

He has power and authority over all things, all people and all spiritual powers.  You have nothing to fear if He is your Lord and Savior.  What fears do you need His help to overcome? 

He is the everlasting father; he is the King. He is a king that cares for his people. He has always existed. 

The Hebrews means “Father of Eternity,” and He has not only always existed, He has authority over time, events in history and your life too.  Because He is one with the Father, though He is the Son, He has the same authority as the Father.  In what areas do you need to remember that He is the authority, and you are not? 

He is the prince of peace, he is the one, who brings peace. He is the one who brings peace between God and man. 

He not only gives peace between Himself and you, but also between you and others, as well as inner peace, because of His grace, forgiveness and gives honour by adopting you into His family for eternity.  If you do not know Him as your Lord and Savior, you cannot have peace with Him.  If you do not have peace with Him, you cannot have peace.  Do you have His peace today?  If not, the only way is to turn away from your sin and shame and put your faith or full trust in Him alone for salvation. 

U- Undoing the fall in the garden Genesis 3:15 

Satan had lied to the woman in the garden and because of the fall, man was now alienated from God. But God knew that this would happen, and now was the time, that the fall was going to be put right. The promise of Genesis 3:15, was now going to be fulfilled. 

。 

Sin which had held sway, was now going to be dealt with, the destination of Jesus was the cross, the stable led to the cross, in just over 33 years, Jesus went to the cross to deal the final death nail to sin, satan and also death. 

E- Encountering grace Ephesians 2:1-10 

Jesus came down to earth and lived a perfect life, because we couldn’t and can’t. He paid the sacrifice, because we couldn’t. He was the substitute for us. We couldn’t save ourselves, we were and are helpless and hopeless, we are unable to help others, so one had to come. 

He came so that he could open the way, so that sin could be dealt with, and that the penalty of sin, was laid on him. God was able to show his grace to us, because his beloved son, paid the price for sin, he took the wrath of the Father, his holy righteous anger, that was poured out upon his son, so that he could show sinful men and women his grace. 

This Christmas, it is time to stop trying to save yourselves. 

He came to save his people from their sins, because they are unable to save themselves. 

L-Life 

We come to the last letter and we come to this fact. This Christmas, you will receive many presents, but have you received Christ? 

Rejecting Jesus, is like opening the present, and then playing with the wrapping paper, instead of opening the present. So many people, play with the wrapping people and don’t open the present. 

People love all the tinsel, turkey and presents, but they ignore the real reason for Christmas. 

The real reason is this, it is something beyond our comprehension, that the king of glory, left his heavenly throne and came and lived among us. 

Jesus humbled himself, he walked and talked upon this earth for 33 years, he lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, rose triumphantly from the grave and is now ascended back to heaven. 

One day, he will come back, not as a poor baby in a manger, but as a fearsome judge. He will judge everyone. One day, you will face him, you will have to give a reason, why you have decided to reject him. 

He offers you life, that offer stands now, but it will run out soon.  

Today is the day of salvation. 

Emmanuel, God is with us 

May you come to know Jesus this Christmas.  

On this Christmas season, please consider the claims of Christ.  

Happy and Blessed Christmas 

Keith