Copyright 2010: Chaplain's Chat
HAPPY CHRISTMAS?
The story of Jesus birth is well documented. The story has been told for many years, yet so few people understand the significance of what took place that night just over 2,000 years ago.
A look at the Bible scriptures Matthew and Luke in particularly tells of prophet’s speaking about the event of Christ birth, which at that time was of course yet to take place.
Isa 7:14 ‘Therefore the lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel’
Matthew 1:18 ‘Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on the wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband being a just man and not willing to make her a public example was minded to put her away privily’.
Verse 20 continues ‘But while he thought on these things behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife. For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost, and she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.
24. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him. And took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son and he called his name Jesus.
Pardon me for indulging in the story of Christ’s birth but it is for me one of the most special times. I, along with you, may have witnessed when still in the spirit world this very special event how excited do you think we would have been? I always feel Christmas is so important and I am very lucky to be blessed with a wonderful spirit at this time of year. Our own patriarch amongst others refers to the story of Jesus Christ as ‘The greatest story ever told’
But the story begins many years ago. The first record upon this earth begins with the revelation given to the prophet Isaiah. That was about 740 years before the birth of Jesus. The Lord made it know to Isaiah that Jesus one day would be born. He wrote about the people who walked in darkness who saw a great light come into their lives. And upon those that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, the light shined.
Isaiah was a great writer he was inspired to write the words, ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The prince of Peace’ he completed the sacred account by prophesying that his mother would be a virgin’ Isaiah was told by the lord that this child should be called Immanuel’ which interpreted means ‘God with us’
Can we even imagine the way that Mary felt when told the news that she was favoured with God?
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was getting near and in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the virgins name was Mary
And the angel came in unto her and said hail thou that are highly favoured. The lord is with thee; blessed be thou among women. And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying and cast in their mind what manner of salutation this should be and the angel said unto her, fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God.
And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and call his name Jesus he shall be great and shall be called the son of the highest. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall rain over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel how shall this be seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God and Mary said ‘my soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour’.
What an under statement from Mary that last line beginning and Mary ------- how special a person she must have been. Not forgetting Joseph of course. It was not easy for Joseph at first but he was a good and faithful man. He was filled with the spirit of truth and he understood.
Luke Chapter 2 tells us ‘It came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. This was because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife being great with child.
It must have been a very worrying time for Joseph when trying to find accommodation for his wife to be turned away from every house he called at. Mary must have by now been very uncomfortable and worried about the baby coming at anytime. Eventually as we know accommodation was found not in a hostel or Inn but
In very humble surroundings of a manger. I have often wondered about this part of the story and realise how appropriate those surroundings were for the Baby who would in the fullness of time be our saviour. What a great example even before his birth Jesus was in being born in such a lowly place.
Luke Chapter 6 and so it was that while there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for then in the inn.
Have you ever wondered how difficult it was for Mary to give birth in such circumstances? I have especially after the birth of my own children. I found the following account and on reading it, felt that this might have been how Mary seen it on the eve of Jesus birth.
It was as if our surroundings were suddenly of a heavenly nature, there were angels present. Joseph’s countenance radiated with infinite love and understanding. I seemed to hear heavenly choirs singing and the very animals knelt in respect. It was a holy night n the little town of Bethlehem. Jesus was a beautiful, perfect little baby. He would become the Prince of Peace, the King of this world. But for a while he was just a little child to be held by his mother and father and to be loved. That precious little child wrapped in swaddling clothes the son of the Most High God. Our Son.
The story continues of course we hear of the faithful shepherds who having overcome their fear after the visit of the angel telling them of the birth of their Saviour, came to pay respect and show their love for the newborn baby. And so on seeing him returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. Telling all that would listen of this great event, which had been told of prophets of old. Can you Imagine living at that time. A time of prophesy being fulfilled. Brothers and Sisters we are!
Eight days passed and Jesus was circumcised and given his name of Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Again fulfilments of prophesy.
Later again Mary and Joseph having now returned to Nazareth came the men of royalty from the East far away. They followed the star.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wise men from the East saying, where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him. And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house they say the young child with Mary his mother and fell down and worshipped him. Presenting unto him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Today we today have a 
to guide us his name is Jesus Christ.
We have our own gifts, for example The Bible, The priesthood, family, our friends, Brothers in the chapter and many more gifts most of which we forget we have!
Let’s celebrate Christmas for the birth of Jesus Christ and the gift he is to us. Let’s make sure we cherish those presents, which were presented to the world just over 2,000 years ago.In the name of Jesus Christ
Enjoy your rides and see you soon
Reg Walker,Chaplain, England Chapter XIV