Jeffrey Holton
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives

A PASTOR IN TRANSFORMATION

Enter Jesus (Pt. 1)

12/23/2016

0 Comments

 
Read Luke 2:1-14
​
Christmas is a special day for many but especially for us believers as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Savior and King Jesus.  I think it is safe to assume that we are all familiar with the Christmas story, I mean you have seen  "A Charlie Brown Christmas" haven't you?  The Christmas story is the tale of a young virgin girl named Mary who was with child and betrothed to marry her Jewish carpenter fiancé Joseph.  Because Caesar made a census they travelled to Bethlehem… The pregnant Mary rode a donkey named Nestor who had unusually long ears and Joseph walked the whole way.  While they were there Mary gave birth to her son and named him Jesus as the angel had instructed.  He was a special baby because he had a little halo around his head that distinguished him from all other children.  It was also a burden in his older years because that same halo also gave away his secret identity.  He was a Christmas baby, born on December 25th in a nice warm barn with all the animals gathered around to see this beautiful haloed baby.  Out in the fields some shepherds were tending their sheep and an angel appeared to them to announce the birth of the savior.  The three shepherds thanked them and immediately followed the star that led them to a stable where Mary, Joseph and the barn yard animals all adored this baby Jesus.  That same night three wise men came along and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  A little drummer boy accompanied them as well but he was sad because he had nothing to offer the newborn king except for his song that went ra pa pa pum pum.  Joseph, Mary, little baby Jesus, the shepherds, the wise men, Nestor, the little drummer boy and the angels all gathered around the stable and sang Christmas carols.

Well maybe it didn’t happen exactly like that.  I may have missed the part about Santa and his reindeer coming along to bring Jesus a toy since he was such a good boy.  The song “Away in a Manger” does say, “No crying he makes”.  As far fetched as this story may sound to you the truth is this version of the nativity story may be more familiar to people than what may have actually be considered the more historical and  biblical Christmas Nativity Story.

Today we will be looking more closely at the birth of Jesus Christ and the historical and biblical aspects of his birth and his life as He came to this earth in the flesh.  Most of all we are going to look at the true meaning behind the Nativity Story which is the story of humility. 

 Jesus’ birthday is not December 25, 0 A.D.  He was most likely not born in a barn, He definitely didn’t have a halo around his head, there were not necessarily three wise men, and it is certain there was no little drummer boy that we know of.  In fact his birth was less glamorous.  It is more commonly held that Jesus was probably born in September or October in the town of Bethlehem but it is still debatable as to the precise date.  Historically it is believed he was born in a cave near the Inn.  The Bible also doesn’t disclose how many Magi (or wise men) were present it only states there were the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.   

According to theologian D.A. Carson, It is most likely true Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem during this time because the Romans reorganized their administration in several parts of the empire and were carrying out fresh censuses for the purpose of taxation. The execution of such an imperial decree in Syria (with which the area of Judea was associated) brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, long ago prophesied as the Messiah’s place of birth (in Micah 5:2).[1]  There was no room for them in the inn, but as I stated tradition also holds that Jesus was born in a cave near the inn and not a stable.

There are more misconceptions about the Christmas story that I could talk about but I do not want to focus on them.  I want to look at humility in this story and the humble life of our King of kings.  I am floored when I think about the creator of all things coming to this earth in the flesh of humanity. One would think everything about his entrance would be a spectacle and his birth would be heralded among all the nations.  However the truth remains, everything about our savior, including his birth, points to humility and serving others.  Isn’t this really what Christmas is about?  Serving in humility our brothers and sisters and sharing the message of hope through Jesus Christ.  

[1]Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition. Rev. ed. of: The new Bible commentary. 3rd ed. / edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer. 1970. (4th ed.) (Lk 2:1). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.



    Picture
    Jeff has been in ministry for well over two decades. He currently serves as Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Southside Campus in Bradenton, Florida.

    Jeff Has authored an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). Both are available on Amazon.

    He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea.
    Preview or purchase Jeff's Books






    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives