Mary Christmas 2001

A Mary Christmas

Luke 2:1-19

The Holy Bible, King James Version

Luke 2:1 through Luke 2:19 (KJV)
¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Merry Christmas! How many times have you heard that phrase in the past few weeks? It seems that even strangers take the time to stop you in the street, or at the mall and wish you a merry Christmas Christmas cheer seems to fill the air with an almost infectious dose of good spirits.

Indeed, because we are together, because we are alive, because our God loves us, we can say Merry Christmas with a perfect conviction. This week is truly Merry spite of what our circumstances might be.

If you noticed in your bulletin the title of this message you are probably thinking that the bulletin is messed up again. Well it’s not. Today I’m wishing you a Mary Christmas. M-A-R-Y. Mary Christmas. No, your pastor has not had too much egg-nog, nor did he get infected with some strange virus from the sovereign nation of Alabama while away this week. I want you too think about Christmas this morning as if you were Mary the mother of our Lord.

Have you thought much about Christmas? Can you believe it is just two days away? It seems like just a few weeks ago we were celebrating Easter, but here it is, right upon you. If you haven’t gotten all of your shopping done, I pity you! It will surely be a madhouse tomorrow in the stores.

I’m sure though, that by now each of you has given some thought to Christmas 2001. Like Santa Claus, we have made our lists, checked them twice, and decided that we forgot someone! Perhaps this year, thoughts of Christmas are different than in years past.

Our world has undergone a transformation in the past few months. We are less concerned with the material things of this world, and our thoughts are more centered on our family and friends. One woman was interviewed for an article on shopping patterns this year, and she said that it seemed that more people were making travel plans than purchases. Many people are choosing to spend their money going to be with family this holiday season rather than purchasing a gift and handing it to the mail man.

Even so, I wonder if we view Christmas like Mary did from that modest animal stall on the first Christmas day? The Bible doesn’t tell us what Mary was thinking, but it does tell us that she pondered the events of the day.

I like that word ponder. It’s very useful when you are sitting in your easy chair and your eyes begin to droop. When your wife says “Are you going to sleep?”, you can answer back that you are just pondering some things and who can argue with you?

Just what did Mary ponder that beautiful day? Perhaps she thought about the arrival of her son, perhaps she thought about the meager means surrounding his arrival, perhaps she pondered those that would be his audience. Whatever she pondered, we can believe that her thoughts were full as she beheld the Son of God in her arms.

The Quiet Arrival of Christ

What do you suppose it was like in Bethlehem that day? What do you imagine that Mary saw as she prepared to give birth to the Savior?

We most often picture Bethlehem as a tranquil, rural little city. However, it’s a real possibility that Bethlehem was something akin to an urban center in those days. If nothing else it was undoubtedly bustling with activity on that day since all of the line of David had to return there to register.

We are told in the Gospels that all of the lodging establishments were filled to capacity. It’s entirely possible that the mood was festive and raucous as old friends, and distant relatives came together for an impromptu reunion.

Yet in the midst of all of the chaos we find a quiet oasis of peace. Mary, and her husband intended, were gathered around the stable awaiting the birth of the promised Messiah. Perhaps there were assorted animals lying about, maybe a pet or two, but otherwise the bustling din of the city was probably absent as Mary prepared to initiate a new era in history.

It’s probable that no one else in the city hear Mary’s cries as she gave birth, or the gentle cries of the newborn baby. It’s probable that no one else in the city heard the exclamation of great joy from the proud and happy parents. The savior of the world had been born and no one was around to witness it.

This birth took place in quiet contemplation. There is a bit of truth for us to learn from this thought as we hurry too and for preparing for the holiday season. The noise of our lives threaten to drown out the quiet arrival of the savior.

We allow the noise in our lives to drown out the gentle cry of Christ, and we fail to take the time to listen for that still small voice of God.

I think at Christmas we often spend more time thinking about the things of Christmas that we forget the message of Christmas. We forget why we do the things that we do.

Have you ever noticed that God speaks to us the clearest when we are at our quietest? Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”

Do you notice what it says in that verse? It tells us to BE STILL. It seems that we often have a problem being still. We often feel the need to be doing something.

Perhaps we need to spend less time doing, and more time listening.

We sing a song that says: “"Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm and is bright, round yon virgin Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace."

Perhaps we need to have a Mary Christmas and contemplate with quiet worshipfulness.

Humble Arrival of God

What do you think Mary thought about her surrounding? I’m sure that giving birth in a cattle stall was not exactly what Mary had in her mind as an ideal situation. Do you think that she was pondering the dismal surroundings? She knew that she was carrying the Messiah, the promised one. Surely she, much as we would our selves, felt that Jesus should be born in more loftier quarters. Was this really a place for the savior to be born?

The Jews believed the promised Messiah would be a new king. A ruler over all. Surely a common stable was not the proper venue for the arrival of a king?

Christ arrived in humble surroundings though, and it was a signal to us that he was a ruler for everyone, not just a select few. Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Because of this beautiful gift, we can have a Mary Christmas as we ponder these things just as she did.

A common Announcement

What do you think Mary thought about the birth announcements? Surely the birth of a king would be announced to the elite first. Surely those who were written down in the social register would find out ahead of others.

Yet, despite what others thought, it was instead to lowly shepherds that the birth was announced. Common workers, tending the flock by night.

It should be noted that these shepherds were considered lowest of the low in polite society. Because of the work they did, they were not even allowed in the temple because they were unclean! It was to these unclean people that the messiah’s birth was announced!

What a glorious encouraging thought for us as well! Christ’s good news is not simply an exercise for the intellectual nor was it simply intended for the well heeled. Christ’s good news was intended for us all, rich and poor, good and bad.

I like this little story that speaks of our nature.

"Dear Santa, there are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffery; he is 2. There is David; he is 4. And there is Norman; he is 7. Jeffery is good some of the time. David is good most of the time. But Norman is good all of the time. I am Norman."

Isn’t that how we do it? We consider how good we are, and how wicked everyone else is? Yet the whole promise of Christmas is to provide hope for all that are lost. We are all worthy of God’s love because he has declared it so. Not because of ourselves, because by ourselves we are much like the shepherds, dirty and unclean.

This Christmas, won’t you have a Mary Christmas? Think on the arrival of Christ. How it was quiet, how it was humble, and how it was announced.

· Significant assistance gleaned from Pastor Bob AuBuchon at Trinity Baptist Church in Willow Springs, MO.