December 3, 2001
Family Bible Series for Dec. 16
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
The greatest gift can't be given, only shared
___Luke 2:1-20
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___Without Christmas, you couldn't have Easter. And without Easter, you couldn't have Christmas. These are two important events for Christians that go hand-in-hand with one another.
___Obviously, Christmas is celebrated first because of Jesus' birth. And what a wonderful celebration it is. In previous months, the angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and had informed her she had been chosen to be the Messiah's mother. Mary submitted to the Father's will and through the Holy Spirit's power became pregnant while still a virgin. When Joseph discovered Mary's pregnancy, he decided to divorce her quietly. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream, told him about the pregnancy's origin and instructed him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph obeyed and took Mary to be his wife, but the marriage would not be consummated until after the child's birth.
___Even today, more than 2,000 years later, the celebration of Jesus' birth is still vibrant and exciting for Christians. Are you energized when you reflect on this event? I mean, do you allow yourself to become so alive and animated that you want to tell non-believers what the true meaning of Christmas is all about?
___What's so joyous about it anyway? Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be gently reminded that the birth of Jesus was a part of God's perfect plan. Jesus' birth has eternal implications. God fulfilled his promise of a deliverer and generously offered forgiveness for all people who would place their faith in Jesus. Wow, what a wonderful gift to receive, and all through a baby. How does your joyous heartbeat read now? Getting a little stronger, I imagine.
___I thoroughly enjoy talking with my 4-year-old niece on the telephone and especially in person. I can't help get excited with her when she is telling me a story. What I see in her eyes and hear in her voice entices me to be excited with her. Her little mind is thinking so fast that she can't get the words out fast enough. Her facial expressions are animated with joy and excitement as she relives for me every tidbit of the story.
___Maybe that's what Christmas should be like for us--trying to tell the story of Jesus' birth and feeling our heart racing and reliving in our mind how Jesus was born and the implications of this magnificent birth.
___During her entire pregnancy, Mary must have anticipated the day she would give birth. I suspect she was like many mothers-to-be today that eat carefully, get rest and avoid strenuous activity. Mary probably got just as excited when she felt a kick or the baby moving in her womb. She probably called for Joseph to come quickly and placed his hand on her stomach so he could feel the powerful little baby yet to be born.
___I believe Mary and Joseph both became anxious and more excited as the weeks and months slipped away waiting in anticipation for God's Son to be born. I don't think there was any other person who could relate to what this couple was experiencing as they lived each and every day with the affirming thought that Mary was carrying God's Son. Now check your joyous heartbeat again.
___As time was getting close for Mary to give birth, Joseph heard of the decree that a census was to be taken (vv. 1-5). There was no way he was going to leave his beloved and miss out on this miraculous event. They traveled together 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I cannot imagine Mary traveling by foot, riding on a donkey and seeing Joseph tenderly care for her on this journey. Absolutely amazing. And when she was ready to give birth, where did she deliver? Not the biggest hospital or the cleanest place in town but simply a manger (v. 7). Here is yet another reminder that God's promise of deliverance would be for all--rich and poor, extravagant and lowly, able and disabled. Jesus came for everyone. And there was no Christmas parade and confetti that announced the Savior's birth to the world. Mere shepherds were Jesus' first guests to welcome him. Word traveled by mouth that the Messiah had arrived.
___Was it a joyous time? For the world it was. The promised Savior had arrived. But it also was joyous for Mary. She had carried that baby all those months and now she would see her son fulfill the Father's plan. Through all her days of singing, praying and talking to the unborn child, she, too, was filled with joy as God had chosen her to be the vessel in which to carry Jesus. Mary never would forget what she felt and experienced, but instead treasure and ponder throughout her days on earth. She would forevermore remember and reflect as she watched Jesus grow up and fulfill the promise God had given years before.
___Will you join in celebrating Jesus' birth and sharing with others the reason he came? How's your joyous heartbeat now? Pretty high? No need for medication; just go tell someone.
___Questions for discussion
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