Honoring the Savior's Birth - Matthew 1:1-18; 2:5-12

The first time I taught a Sunday school class—it was a group of ninth to twelfth graders at First Baptist Church, in Griffithville, Arkansas, about fifty-eight years ago. It would appear to most of you that after teaching the Christmas Story fifty or more times, any teacher should make some vast improvements in their presentation. I am always searching for new ideas and different ways to present the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior—however, it seemed to get harder each year. Then, just a few years ago, it finally became evident that this wonderful word picture of his birth has never changed—and the only improvement one can make is within our hearts…in how we love him more…and in allowing our faith in him to grow. The gospels tell the story of the birth of Christ, and if one will read the different versions with studious minds and an open heart, he/she will find that no man-written commentary can enhance the verbal picture recorded in the gospels.

In addition to our annual study of the simple story of the manger scene it appears to me that we should broaden our understanding of the time line about related incidences that occurred before and after his birth. Search the literature available and you will find that most writers agree to the information given below. The sequence of events and even the actual dates of the events are very important to us as they help prove beyond any doubt that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God and that he was born just as his birth was fore-told by the prophets of old.

Christ was born during the period of time when the Roman Empire was in power and growing as they conquered one nation after another.

• In 37 BC King Herod the Great became ruler of the Roman Empire
• In either 6 or 5 BC Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judah
• In either 5 or 4 BC Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt for his safety
• In 4 BC Herod died and it seemed safe now for them to return
• In either 4 or 3 BC Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned to Nazareth
• In AD 6 Judea became a Roman province, Christ lived here
• In either AD 6 or 7 Jesus made his visit to the temple, where he confounded the priest and elders with his [first teaching job]
• In AD 14 Tiberius Caesar became Roman Emperor in Jerusalem
• In AD 26 Pontius Pilate was appointed as Governor of Judah
• In AD 26 or 27 Jesus began his ministry that lasted about three years
• In AD 28 Jesus chose the twelve disciples and they joined the ministry
• In AD 29 Jesus performed the miracle of fish and bread that fed the five thousand plus women and children
• In AD 30 Jesus was crucified, arose from the grave and ascended
• In AD 30 he sent The Holy Spirit to the upper room
• In AD 30 Jesus gave his church their true mission—to go and teach

Matthew was a Jew and his gospel is written primarily with the Jewish people in mind. He felt that it was necessary for him to prove that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who was predicted in the Old Testament, and in order for the Jews to accept him—it was necessary to prove that he was a descendant of both David and Abraham. As we know through other scriptures, the Jews recognized Jesus but would not accept him because they were looking for a KING and not a servant.

Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham is recorded in the first chapter. From Abraham to Christ there were forty-two generations. There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David…There were fourteen generations from David to the exile to Babylon…and finally there were fourteen generations from the exile to the birth of Christ—making forty-two in all. I hope, at least for some of you. this next observation is a new one…and maybe/just maybe…someone can say I learned one thing new by studying the lesson today. As you read through the genealogy you will note that Matthew says that Abraham was the father of Isaac; David was the father of Solomon; and Jacob was the father of Joseph; but he did not say that Joseph was the father of Jesus. Matthew referred to Joseph as the husband of Mary. We know that God was the Father.

Here is another thought for today. Matthew was not a medical doctor. Although he may have never trained as a specialist in gynecology or as a pediatrician there were millions of babies being born in his day, and I feel sure that he understood the common process necessary for a woman to become pregnant. Any doctor today will tell you that it is a physical impossibility for a woman to become pregnant without the induction of a male sperm. Matthew would have probably said the same thing; however he did not doubt that this could happen as a spiritual miracle…he believed the Holy Spirit to be the father. I sincerely hope that many of our doctors today have that same kind of faith.

As I read verse 18, I ask myself why the belief in the virgin birth is so important to the Christian believer. The answer comes as an overpowering truth only to those who believe in the bible as the absolute word of God, and from God. Jesus Christ is without sin. He is God’s son. He had to have a father in order to be born as an earthly child. Because Adam sinned, we are all sinners and therefore there was no man on earth without sin who could father this child. Christ was born to Mary and therefore was a human being. His father was God [through spirit] and therefore was born with no trace of human sin. Why important? It is this important…you can not be born again until you believe that Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine.

Jesus Christ was both—a human being with flesh and blood—and a Spirit Man with a divine nature. Jesus lived here on this earth about thirty years under trying circumstances and therefore through his earthly experiences we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles [Hebrews 4: 15-16]. And because he is God, he has the power to deliver us from our sins [Colossians 2: 13-15]. When we pray and ask him for his help he hears our prayer, he understands us, he has been where we are and had already suffered what we are suffering and then in addition—Jesus paid our sin debt through his horrible death on the cross.

It is Christmas time at our house, and I believe that this is true at your house too. Do you really believe that we are worried about the same things these days that trouble the heart of God? This will recall just a few of the things that have happened and are happening that troubles some of us at Christmas time.

Today, Juanita and I received a box of grapefruit that our youngest daughter’s family sent by UPS. On the company label, they had written in large print, X-MAS GREETINGS from...name of sender. Someone working for the company that delivered the box had XXX out the X-MAS, and written in CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. That person is concerned about people who are willing to X Christ out of Christmas. Jesus is more concerned when we cross some needy person off of our gift list.

Travel the state and visit the court houses and see how many nativity scenes you can find. Listen to the music in the stores where you shop and compare the music you hear to stories of the birth of Christ. You will frequently hear—“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” but not “Silent Night;” and “Mom Kissing Santa Clause,” but not, “O-Holy Night.” Most Christians are concerned—are you? I believe that Christ is concerned—but these may not be his main concerns…so let us look at some of the things that may concern him more.

Christmas is not a holiday proclaimed by Christ. He probably was not even born at this time of year. In its beginning, the Christmas celebration was a pagan festival—but knowing Jesus as I do, I think he is happy anytime we celebrate his name on any day and at any time. He would tell you again today as he told men of old—you celebrate most when you love your God with all your heart and especially when you love one another.

I believe he would tell us not to worry too much about people calling a Christmas-tree a Holliday-tree. After all he made all the trees—why not worship him and thank him for all of our beautiful forests. If Christ had chosen the tree to commemorate his birth…it might have been a grapevine…he reminded us several times that he was the vine and we were his branches [see John 15: 1-8].

If every Christian that has complained about the Nativity Scene leaving the court yards would sell all their Santas, snowmen an lighted reindeers and use the money to erect nativity scenes in their yards—the number of scenes would multiply by the millions. If every bible-believing church would erect a Nativity Scene in front of the sanctuary there would be at least fifty in each county in Arkansas. I believe the Christ-child would feel more at home in a church yard than a court yard. I also think that Jesus would prefer that his Nativity Scene would be built by Christians than politicians. What should we do? We could volunteer to chair a committee at the church that would be in charge of the Nativity Scene each Christmas. The next time you think about complaining in a letter to the editor, why not write a letter of love and appreciation to some lonely soldier in Iraq.

Giving gifts at Christmas time is a wonderful and thoughtful way of expressing your love. But this year, instead of giving your children a lot of expensive toys that don’t last and will soon be discarded [and that you probably can least afford]…spend some extra time with them. Be sure you include some of the stories about the birth of Christ and why he gave up his home in heaven to spend thirty miserable years on earth. Don’t forget to love them, hug them and tell them that Christ loves them too.

Stop worrying about what your retailer calls the holiday, just be patient and friendly with his employees even if they are not allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” and they say “Happy Holiday”—that doesn’t keep you from wishing them a “Merry Christmas.”

Finally, here may be the very best Christmas gift that you can possibly give, because it would bless so many people. Stop shopping on Sunday! Wal-Mart makes big money every Sunday, but if they had no customers, they would soon close on Sunday and that would give thousands of employees a Sunday off to attend church—stay at home with the family—or at worst go fishing.

And now—from my house to your house—Juanita and I

WISH YOU A “MERRY-MERRY

CHRISTMAS” AND A BLESSED

NEW YEAR !

MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU ALL—MAY GOD BLESS YOU REAL GOOD! See you next year.