There are Christmas messages going out of every church all across the land at this time of the year. We want this to be something more than just recognizing the time of Jesus’ birth. More importantly is the birth of Him within us. We are thankful for that which happened in history, but this must be more than history to us. My prayer during night moving in my heart is that God has to be more than a religion to us. Jesus Christ has to be more than history. We want that to be the truth for us today.
Let’s start with Luke 2. There was a decree made that everyone should be taxed and so everyone was going to their particular city for taxation.
Luke 2:4-7 And 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:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son…
The Greek reads, She brought the firstborn son. It has the definite article “the” in there indicating there is something special, not just a first born, but The Firstborn Son.
Luke 2:7…and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
You know the rest of the story about the shepherds guarding their flocks and the angels worshipping.
I want to point out one scripture in John 6:51. Jesus says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven. “Beth” means house; Bethlehem means “house of bread.” It is significant that He who is the Bread of Life was born in the house of bread.
This is important, so listen carefully. Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. There was no place for them to sleep but in a stable with some animals. The manger is the feeding trough for the animals. So, the Bread of Life is born in the house of bread in a feeding trough. I think that is significant. We are to feed on Christ.
I think it would be extra special during this time of Christmas that we are not just recognizing that Jesus was born this particular time so many, many years ago, but this becomes a time when we feed on Him and partake of His life. It is important that we not just recognize a historical birth of Jesus, but we recognize a birthing of Him that is taking place within us at the present time. And if you are fortunate enough that He has been born in you, then expect that birth to be expanded and to increase.
House of bread, the Bread of Life, all in a manger is a picture saying that we are to feed upon the Lord. He is our bread, He is our life support.
Now go to Matthew 2.
Matthew 2:7-11 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired
of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem…
9 And they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they
saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young
child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy,
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened
their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and
myrrh.
This to me speaks of a tremendous miracle. These three wise men were magi. They learned through the stars that there was a king being born. They looked for Him and when they found Him, they worshipped Him. These magi came from another country, and of all the people in the land of Judah, they were the only ones at that time who knew by revelation what was happening.
The wise men presented Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gold represents divine nature. Prophetically and mystically it speaks that they recognized Him as divine. Frankincense always is involved in worship and they had come to worship Him. Myrrh has to do with death, the death of the old and the beginning of something new.
Tremendous change was taking place at this time. With the birth of Christ was the dying of the old and the birthing of the new. This was the beginning of something new that God was doing with His people that would not only involve the children of Israel or the Jews of Judah, but it would involve all of mankind. So, the magi presented Jesus with gifts.
During this time here at home there will be gatherings, the sharing of gifts, it is a wonderful time when the family gets together. I think it would be good in our recognition of Christ’s birth some 2,000 years ago and our recognition of Him being birthed within us anew that there be some gift-sharing with Christ, even as the three wise men brought the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. So, what can you give the Lord during this time? Well, how about give Him some aspects of your heart and your life that you have never turned over before?
“Lord, I have this part of my heart that I have held for myself. I am giving it to You today, because You are the King of my life.”
Then the Lord has some gifts for us. In I Corinthians 12, there are nine gifts spoken of - the gifts of the Spirit. It is amazing how some of these gifts have been spurned. The Lord God has gifts for us. Let’s open our hearts to receive the gifts He has for us. I think most of us have been aware of His mercy, His grace, His love for us and we receive that. Of course, I think it would be good to receive more than we have, but how about the gift of wisdom of the Spirit? The gift of knowledge, the gift of discernment, the gift of faith, the gift of tongues and interpretation, prophecy? There are nine gifts there, gifts that we need. We should not reject them nor neglect them.
Let’s honor this birthing of the Lord by giving Him areas of our life that we have not presented to Him and receiving some of the gifts that He has for us that we have not yet received. Amen.
Copyright © 2011 by Henry DuBose