By Mark Abel
My wife and I always get a real Christmas tree. I think it has something to do with the smell of pine needles and childhood memories. But also, it is about the quest in finding the tree. Hauling it home on a cold winter night, hosing it off in the yard, and then fitting the base to the stand. Sounds like a lot of work, I know but it is also a lot of fun. This year, we found our tree at a nearby lot, quite fresh, a Nordmann I believe the sale’s person called it. In any case, we lashed it to the roof of our SUV and headed for drinks and something warm to eat, another part of the tradition. The tree is now standing majestically, centered on the window in our living room. Yes, decorated with twinkling lights, gold and red garlands, and numerous ornaments, some of which were passed down through generations. On top of the tree, the purple angel of course, another favorite.
So yesterday, while sipping espresso I pondered the question, “Christmas?” What does the word mean and what is it all about? For certain, it is a time of gathering with family and friends. Sharing traditions and singing carols, sipping eggnog, decorating, and exchanging gifts. It is a time of celebration and tradition, joy, and cheer. I know there are exceptions, but most it seems celebrate Christmas.
Drawing another sip, I continued to ponder the question. I then did some research—Christmas. As a believer I understand it is about the birth of Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. But I did not know the second part of the word, ‘mas’, means celebration. Therefore, Christmas is the celebration of Messiah. After giving my empty cup a swirl, I read the story as recorded in Scripture by the historian Luke. Turning to my wife, I commented on how we are blessed that Luke, a Physician by trade, who’s apparent passion was history, took the time to research and record the account. Afterall, Luke is the only gospel writer who did that.
I imagined Luke tracking Mary down and asking her to tell him the story of her son’s birth. I picture her eyes welling up with tears as she responds, “I think of Him every day, and hold the memories close to my heart.” My wife reminded me, Scripture has more to tell us about the birth of Christ. Much of it written by the Prophets of old, some of it more than seven hundred years before the birth of Messiah.
The following is the celebration of Messiah, as spoken by the Prophets, and recorded by the hand of Luke the Historian. This is the story of Christmas. I hope you will read it and consider sharing it when you gather with loved ones.
The Story of Christmas – As told from Scripture
1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was [c]Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’” Psalm 2:7
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Isaiah7:14
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. Luke 2:1-5
1But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. Isaiah 9:1
2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
3 Therefore He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has borne a child.
Then the remainder of His brethren
Will return to the sons of Israel. Micha 5:2-3
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb;
You made me trust when upon my mother’s breasts. Psalm 22:9
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. Luke 2:8
2 The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
3 You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. Isaiah 9:2-3
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen;
I have sworn to David My servant,
4 I will establish your seed forever
And build up your throne to all generations.” Psalm 89:3-4
12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:12-14
4 “Where were you Job, when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
7 Were you there, when the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:4, 7
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” Rev 5:11-13
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:15-20
2 The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
3 You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. Isaiah 9:2-3
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. John 1:1-4
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:12-14
Merry Christmas
Mark Abel’s debut novel, Ephesus – A Tale of Two Kingdoms, is based on the battle that rages in the heavenlies between good and evil. Ephesus is available on Amazon, and everywhere books are sold.