Who do you want to be?
We often look at the nativity story and see the setting and the overarching narrative, of a saviour, come to earth.
I always find it funny when putting together a nativity all the young people wanting each role, “I want to be Mary” “I want to be a wise man” … Where do you see yourself? What character did you or do you want to be?
Mary: Literally the mother of Jesus, the son of God, Saviour of the world, Carried Jesus I her womb for 9 months, and treasured him for his life here on earth.
At such a young age she was told this improbable thing would happen to her, and she accepted her role in God’s great plan.
“I am the Lord’s servant” Mary answered, “May it be to me as you have said” Then the angel left her.
-Luke 1:38
No qualms, no reshaping the plan, maybe’s, if’s or buts, Mary commits to her role in God’s epic plan of Man’s redemption.
Do you see yourself as Mary? Saying yes to God’s plan? Giving up your life to love the son of God?
Fancy some more reading… Check out Mary’s Song Luke 1: 46 – 55 in which Mary considers the fullness of her decision and gives praise to God.
Gabriel: An Angel, get your Halos at the ready, don your wings. And Yell “ Do not be afraid” in your most reassuring voice.
Gabriel the post man, the dpd delivery, came to earth to bring a message, and to bring a gift.
The message of support for Mary who would be going through a very turbulent time in her life, of reassurance for Joseph who had some very specific questions. Gabriel kindly dispenses advice and guidance to all he meets with love, humility and blessings in abundance. He also brings the band along for the shepherd to enjoy, giving them a glimpse of what’s to come if they listen to the Good news shared.
But the Angel said to them “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news, that will cause great joy for all the people”
Luke 2:10
They came from heaven sharing this news openly, they gave messages to the faithful, those with doubts, the humble and the wise.
Do you see yourself as Gabriel or one of the other angels? Spreading God’s message to people, speaking God’s plan into their lives. Sharing the gospel in a way that makes the most impact to that person?
Fancy some more reading, their interactions with the Shepherd are one of my favourite parts of the nativity story. The idea they got the good news and then to experience a choir of angels singing glory to God… Chefs Kiss. Luke 2: 13-14
Joseph: The step up dad, the earthly father to a heavenly son.
Joseph is an interesting part of the nativity story. A tradesman, with a business, large family and as we learn from royal lineage. (That Royal being King David). He was engaged to be married to Mary, however it was discovered she was already with child, so rather than cause a massive fuss and shame on her, he was going to quietly divorce her.
But.. with the first of many dream visit from an angel Joseph is instructed to do his part of the plan, to care for Mary, and the boy they were to call Jesus (the Greek form, of a name closer to Joshua meaning the Lord saves). After this dream Joseph wakes up and does exactly as instructed to, he takes Mary as his wife and becomes a great Earthly father to the son of God.
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” Matthew 1:24
While reading for this I was struck by the faith that Joseph showed, willing to give up his reputation, family, social status, to be with Mary to be father to another’s Son. Not only that but the faith he showed time and again when angels would appear to him in dreams and inform of imminent danger, he responds immediately, uprooting and moving to Egypt and then Nazareth.
Do you see yourself as Joseph? The faithful person who steps up and follows God’s instruction, even when it doesn’t make sense to you, or for your life style, when it may cost you everything your reputation, status, friends and family? Do you find your reward in supporting and caring for others?
Fancy some more reading? In Matthew 2 : 13-23 we find the family fleeing from danger to a life in another country, and then a return… Life can be turbulent, but we see through the prophecies shared in these verses that God was in control.
The Shepherds: Grab your tea towel and put it on your head, wrap some string or maybe a belt around it, and put your best brown or dark blue dressing gown on.
Jokes aside, the shepherds are, considered by some to be the outcasts, groups of people who would wander the countryside with their flock, some even spoke multiple languages. They were hard working, committed and were important in providing new lambs for sacrifice.
One night the Angels to turn up in their host’s to sing their song and give good news to the shepherds, and they got to be the first group of people to meet Jesus, not Kings, not priests, not wisemen or people of political clout.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:10-12
And they listened, left their flock and went down into Bethlehem as instructed, met with Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, shared their experience and worshiped Jesus.
They were so changed by this experience that they couldn’t help but speak about it to everyone and anyone they came into contact with. They were the first evangelists, the first to meet with Jesus, be changed and feel the compulsion to share this with others.
Do you see yourself as the Shepherds? Committed to your flock? Sharing your experience with Jesus with anyone and everyone?
Fancy some more reading? In John 10:1-21 Jesus shares some examples using shepherding as a way of explaining who he was, and what he came to do. Can you see Jesus as your Shepherd?
King Herod: To quote Billie Eilish, “I’m a bad guy… duh”
A funny one to include in a list of people you want to be like… maybe. So Herod is fully established as king over this region that we find ourselves in. He is a clever, efficient, and tyrannical king, but paranoid and constantly obsessed with conspiracy theories. When one day he hears of some wise men looking for a chid king he devised a plan. He knew who this king would be, he had all his scholars do the research.
“He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
Matthew 2:8
However he had no intention of worshiping instead his fear of his own inadequacies (a roman leader in a Jewish nation desperately trying to fit in) to take hold. His plan was simple to strike down the new king before he could get a foot hold. But Herod has it all wrong, this wasn’t a new king to conquer but w new king to redeem. If he has just listened to the text his scholars had found.
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Matthew 2:6
It says right there, a ruler to shepherd my people Israel. We rejoice at this time of year because, we received a shepherd king, it was the plan all along.
Now this is a hard one and may require some reflection… do you sometimes see yourself has Herod? Concerned over giving up the control? Fearful of your own inadequacies that you act out on others? Unwilling to submit to a new king in your life? Missing the most intricate point in Jesus coming?
Instead of some reading today, I want to encourage you to pray, pray for God to rule over your life, to give up our power and authority to him. To trust in his plan and to truly reflect on our fears and inadequacies and ask for strength and wisdom in how to deal with them effectively.
Magi x 3 (or more): The wise men from the east who just appear in Matthew’s gospel to give amazing gifts of Gold for a King, Frankincense as a fragrant offering of worship, and Myrrh a death herb…. Um cheers for that last one.
Ever wonder how they knew where and why to go? First, we need to see who they are. They are men from the east, some scholars tag them as Babylonian, they are considered men of stature, wisdom, astrologers and with knowledge. They come from a caste of Magi; a term given to these wise men who spent their time studying scripture.
The last time we heard about this group was in the book of Daniel, where Daniel is appointed chief amongst them. So, his teachings and maybe some early scriptures and Jewish teachings would have been available to them to study. They would have had knowledge of the prophecies of a new king being born. And so, as the literal stars align they set out to meet him, and bow down and worship him.
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:10-11
Do you see yourself as the Magi? With all the knowledge of who Jesus is but still seeking that intimate meeting with Him? Is your desire to meet with Jesus strong enough to take you on a journey? What gifts do you have to give to Jesus?
Fancy some more reading? Isaiah 9:6-7 gives a great idea of some of the scriptures that the Magi may have studied, can you see Jesus in these words too?
Jesus: greatest baby that you ever did see… God with US
In trying to write this today, I was almost lost for words… almost, see what more can be said about Jesus, the Bible is full of examples of how we should be like Jesus. So, it’s a pretty obvious one really, we should want to be Jesus surely.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15:12
But…
In looking at the story again, I was struck by the fact that you had all these people from all walks of life coming to see a baby and coming away changed by the experience.
John the Baptist does back flips in his mother’s womb, the Shepherds run and tell everyone they can about who they met, Simeon a devout and righteous individual waited his entire life for this moment and was overjoyed to meet this Baby that would be the Christ. The Magi travel vast distance and when they meet the baby they bow down in worship and offer gifts, and Mary and Josephs lives are completely changed in His presence.
Just the sight of Jesus as a baby was enough to change lives.
Do you want to be like Jesus? Do you want people to be changed when they meet you? Do you want others to see something different in you?
Fancy some more reading? Well lucky for you there is plenty. Give the gospel of Luke a try, the first few chapters cover the first part of Jesus life well, with eye witness testimony, some lovely songs written from their interaction with God, Read and see who Jesus is, who he can be to you, how just glimpsing Him can change you and others.
Many Blessings, and Merry Christmas.