A Humble Christmas Devotional

We know that when Jesus came to earth to die, this was an act of Devine humility that we cannot fully understand. That humility was demonstrated in so many ways: from arriving as an infant of poor parents in humble circumstances, to being mercilessly killed as a criminal by very cruel means.

We celebrate the birth of the Christ child at Christmas time with nativity scenes created by artists, and pageants in which we cast our beautiful children as shepherds, wise men, Joseph and Mary. While it is wonderful for the children to celebrate the advent in this way. We adults, by romanticizing it, might forget what really happened, and the unparalleled humility, which our God assumed.

Our Lord and Savior came to earth as a helpless infant, and was born in a dirty, smelly stable, because there was no room elsewhere. This much is repeated every time the story is told.

But do we recall that when the angel told Mary and later told Joseph of the divine birth, he did not tell anyone else. Imagine the indignity that Mary and Joseph felt from the accusing glances and words of others, who realized that Mary was pregnant prior to her marriage to Joseph. These rumors would have followed the couple to Bethlehem, because Joseph’s extended family would have also travelled to the same ancestral home. When there was no room in the Inns of Bethlehem, this was not only a rejection by strangers who lived there, but probably also a rejection by any of Joseph’s extended family who arrived in Bethlehem before the young couple.

It would have been wonderful to have seen the chorus of angels, that came to the shepherds who were nearby. It is important to recall that at that time in history, shepherds were the lowest strata of Hebrew society. Historians report that shepherds worked seven days a week and as a result were not permitted in the synagogue. Shepherd status was so low that they were not allowed to give testimony in a court of law. And yet it was to these rejected ones that the angels came. And it was God’s plan that they should be the first to see the newborn Christ and spread the word of the Christ child’s birth.

Some like to say “wise men still follow, Jesus”. But, a more scriptural sentiment is “not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.” (1 Cor 1:26). Some translations call them Kings, others wise men, and some call them astrologers, and magicians. The actual Greek word is Magi, which literally means magician. Magic and divination were punishable by death in the old testament, so we can understand why many translators avoided calling them magicians.

But lets stick with a literal interpretation. Viewed in this way they were sinners who were coming to bow down the King of the universe. And their gifts of wealth were possibly not intended to bring favor, more likely these were repentant men who were giving up their tools of magic. This interpretation, while speculative, is far more consistent with the rest of scripture than is the traditional portrale of “Wise Men”.

While I admit to some speculation in manner by which, I have “read between the lines”, I have related how the Son God who came in order to be rejected, was rejected even in his birth, and whose birth was announced to the most rejected of those nearby. And later visited by some, though guilty of sins worthy of death had come in repentance.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6