The Faithful

Joseph and Mary entered the crowded little town looking for shelter. It had taken them several days to track the long and treacherous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and now they were needing a place to stay. Mary was about to give birth, and the only shelter offered her was the inn keeper’s stable.

Joseph knocked on every door he thought would be available, talked to numerous people on the streets to find an appropriate place for Mary to be cared for. But he had failed. With great despair, he approached his wife to tell her the bad news.

She was so young, so beautiful, but the trip had worn her down. Now looking at her, thoughts of their engagement came to mind. There were many women available to Joseph, but he knew when he first met Mary that she would be the one he chose. Besides her obvious beauty, Mary had charm.

She was known for her honesty, her loyalty, and her kindness. Joseph had been devastated when he found out that she was going to have a baby that didn’t belong to him. Aww! But the miraculous happened!

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus.”

Joseph immediately obeyed God and took Mary as his wife. He didn’t understand God’s plan, but he was going to be faithful to Him no matter the cost. (Matthew 2:18-25)

Mary was feeling so tired. The pains of childbirth had been coming steadily ever since they entered Bethlehem. And now she was headed to a cave just outside the city limits.

The innkeeper was kind enough to offer what little he had, and Mary was grateful for anything at this point. She watched Joseph as he hurriedly prepared the stable for her to rest in. As the pain of childbirth once again stabbed at her abdomen, she thought back to that special day when the angel appeared to her.

She was filled with fright when the angel greeted her. The sound of his voice boomed in her ears. The size of his stature overwhelmed her senses. She felt like she had entered another dimension as the fear stunned her into silence.

But then peace began to flow through her very being as the angel said, “The Lord is with you, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and bear a son and call His name Jesus.”

Mary questioned the possibility of this because she knew she had never been with a man. But the angel continued, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. The child that you carry will be the Son of God.”

How would this be possible? Why was she the chosen one? How would Joseph react? She didn’t understand God’s plan, but she was going to be faithful to Him no matter the cost. (Luke 1:26-38)

The Fearful

The sound of bleating sheep filled the air as the shepherds began to settle down for the evening. Feasting on bread and herbs for their evening meal, in the distance, they could still hear the bustle of travelers entering the nearby city of Bethlehem.

Seated around the campfire, the shepherds were suddenly startled by the appearance of an angel shining bright with God’s glory. As the shepherds cowered in fear, the angel informed them,

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Peace overcame their fear as the shepherds listened to the angel’s message. But then the night sky was flooded with an intensely bright light. Looking up, the shepherds saw thousands of angels in the sky hovering over their fields. Their voices boomed as the shepherds heard them say,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

And as quickly as the angels appeared, they were gone. The shepherds looked at each other in amazement. In unison, they all agreed that they must go into town and find this baby, the long-awaited Christ; the promised Savior. (Luke 2:8-15)

The Faceless

Simeon was a priest in the temple at Jerusalem. He had served in the temple for many, many years. Being fervently devoted to God in his duties, he had prayed that God would allow him to see the Deliverer of Israel.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Simeon knew when Joseph and Mary walked into the temple for the ceremonial circumcision of Jesus that God was bringing that request to fruition.

Anna, a prophetess in the temple, was also awaiting the Deliverer. She had faithfully served in the temple after losing her husband of only seven years. Being eighty-four, she had devoted many days and nights fasting and praying for the deliverance of Israel.

And as she entered the temple and witnessed the blessing of the child that Simeon was holding, she knew that the Deliverer was here. She quietly listened as Simeon began his blessing,

“Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word: for mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of the people of Israel.”

Discover the Promise of Christmas

Did you see yourself in this story? We are the faceless that Simeon prayed for in Luke 2:31. “…Thy salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles…”

Our Christmas Promise is the same today as the Christmas Promise given over 2,000 years ago. God sent His Son to make peace between sinful man (remember Adam) and Himself. 

The prophecies of the Bible told of Christ’s birth hundreds of years before it happened.

• God promised a Savior in Genesis 3:15.
• Isaiah told of His virgin birth, His sinless life, and His cruel death.
• David wrote of Christ’s humanity and deity.
• Jesus Himself spoke of His miraculous resurrection.
• In Revelation, John tells of His return.

Have you accepted the Promise of Christmas in your own heart? If not, He is waiting for you now.