Most families have a few traditions that they enjoy during the Christmas season. Recently, when we asked the children of our church family to share some of their favorite Christmas activities, many of them said they enjoyed opening gifts, building gingerbread houses, and baking cookies. Each of those traditions can be a lot of fun.

About ten years ago, our family decided to put some extra thought into how we wanted to spend Christmas day together. The day now involves some really good food, watching a few movies, playing a few specific board games, and keeping a fire roaring in the fireplace all day long. But before we do any of that, the very first thing on our agenda on Christmas morning is reading the first twenty verses of Luke 2.

Luke 2 is a fascinating portion of God's word. In this passage of Scripture, we're given a glimpse of some of the key elements of God's redemptive plan for humanity. In this passage, we see the fulfillment of ancient prophesies, confirmation of God's hand at work through divinely orchestrated signs, the sovereign oversight God has over humanity, and the incarnation of the Son of God in the birth of Jesus Christ.

As the Old Testament Scriptures had promised, Jesus, the Messiah came in the lineage of David and was miraculously born of a virgin. His birth was heralded by angels and marveled over by simple shepherds. His earthly parents were amazed at what God was doing in their midst, and they were faithful to obey His leading during this season of their lives. I truly wish we could have heard some of their conversations during the months leading to Christ's birth, and the months immediately after it.

For some people, Christmas is an over-the-top carnival-like extravaganza filled with lights, glitter, noise, and rushing around. Some of that can certainly be fun, but I have to admit that the simplicity of what I see in the biblical account of Christ's birth ministers to me in a way that ribbons, garland, and all the other festivities of the season ever could.

When I read the account we're given in Luke 2, I see a young family that's just starting out, and they're doing their best to comply with the regulations of their government, even though they're moments away from having a child.

I see a young couple that doesn't have the prominence, money, or connections to make it possible for them to enjoy posh accommodations while they were in Bethlehem. Instead, they were forced by necessity to camp outside, sleep with the animals, and give birth in a stable.

I see shepherds trying their best to do their job late into the evening. Their parents most likely didn't brag to other parents about what their sons are doing, and their culture sometimes treated them like second-class citizens. Their task was often thought of as unappreciated, unappealing, and routine, but they were faithful to accomplish it just the same.

And it was to a young couple camping outside, and unappreciated shepherds who didn't have the luxury of being distracted by the finer things in this world, that God miraculously spoke to that evening. In some ways, I can't help but wonder if they were in the perfect position to actually listen to what He was saying. These are the humble people who witnessed the birth of Christ.

I. Why does it matter that Jesus was born?

I have had the privilege to be present for the birth of my four children. There's a lot going on in the moments when a child is being born. The mother is in pain, but focused and determined to give birth to the child. The father is nervous and wanting to help, but also knows there's only so much help he can offer. But in the moments after a child is born, and you confirm that both baby and mother are ok, your heart floods with a mix of joy and relief. You know there's a lot of work ahead of you, but you also take a quick moment to rest and be thankful.

The birth of Jesus was prophesied in the earliest portions of the book of Genesis. After Adam sinned, and sin was transmitted to all humanity through him, he and Eve were told that one would come as the "seed" of the woman who would crush Satan. In that prophesy from Genesis 3:15, we see a reference to the virgin birth of Christ who was conceived by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary, and was therefore born without a sin nature. (Children who are conceived naturally through the seed of their father possess a sin nature. See Romans 5:12.)

God exists in three co-eternal and co-equal persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus Christ who is God the Son, came to this earth and took on flesh, He did so to undo the mess that was made when Adam rebelled.

• When tempted, Jesus didn't give in to temptation or sin.

• Jesus lived the sinless life that Adam chose not to live.

• Being sinless, Jesus was able to offer Himself as the one who would take the punishment for our sin upon Himself since He was innocent of it.

• Jesus proved His divinity and sinlessness when He rose from the grave.

• Jesus offers a complete pardon for sin, and eternal life to all who will trust in Him.

It matters that Jesus took on human flesh and was born as a man. Without His intervention in human history, we would remain lost in our sin.

II. Why don't we need to be consumed by fear?

Fear is a natural impulse that we've all experienced to one degree or another. Some people get defensive and fight when they're afraid. Others experience paralysis in their moments of fear. But because of who Jesus is and what He has done, we don't need to be overcome by fear. Our greatest fears typically have death and separation at their core, and Jesus has dealt with both issues.

When the shepherds were first confronted by the angels, they were understandably fearful. To my knowledge, I have never seen an angel, unless he was disguising himself. But if I was working an overnight shift as a security guard and a angel or a host of angels showed up in front of me and began speaking, I can guarantee you that I would be terrified.

The shepherds were fearful when the angels appeared to them while they were doing their jobs that evening. Seeing this, the angels assured them that they didn't need to be afraid. I see two reasons in this passage why they didn't need to be afraid.

1. The angels were not there to hurt them or destroy them.

2. Christ the Lord was born that day.

Jesus is the cure for our separation issues. In Him, we are reconciled to God. Jesus is the cure for our fear of death. In Him, we find abundant life and everlasting life. Because of who Jesus is, and because of what Jesus has accomplished for us, we don't need to be consumed by fear any longer.

III. Will we also treasure these truths in our hearts?

Joseph and Mary were not well-off, impressive socialites with high pedigrees and trust funds to monetize their every whim. They were young, simple people, of humble means. Yet to this young couple, the Messiah was born.

They didn't know all the details about what God was going to do, but they did know that they could trust God for the things they couldn't yet see. They also knew that they could rejoice over what the Lord was in the process of showing them.

As Christ was born and the shepherds came to see them, we're told that Mary treasured what was taking place. She treasured this miraculous birth. She treasured this enthusiastic visit from the shepherds. She treasured their retelling of what the angels had told them. This whole experience was an amazing blessing to all humanity, and Mary couldn't help but ponder what the Lord was doing and why He had chosen her and her husband to be part of this miraculous event.

We also have the privilege to treasure and ponder these things as well. So let me leave you with a few biblical truths that I hope will remind you of the peace Christ brings to the heart of anyone who will trust Him and welcome Him to be the Lord of their life.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

"As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!" (Psalm 40:17)

© John Stange, 2019