It might not be surprising that many people have a difficult time in accepting the Christmas Story, the story about the birth of Jesus , the One whom we call the Son of God.  There is so much talk of strange and mysterious things happening, angels, prophecy, people following stars – admit it, some of this does sound a little hokey doesn’t it?

I don’t how you would respond to experiencing or hearing about an angelic visitation, but in this generation most people would probably think you were crazy if you even said you believed in angels.  In the Gospel of Matthew we read about angelic appearances and people looking for a star in the sky during the time of Jesus’ birth.

The Gospel of Matthew speaks only about Mary and Joseph being engaged when Mary became pregnant.  There is no mention about an angel having appeared to Mary, but there is mention of an angel appearing to Joseph while he was dreaming, telling him not to be afraid of taking Mary as his wife because her pregnancy is a fulfillment of a prophecy.    And after Jesus was born, again an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him Jesus’ life was in danger so they needed to flee not only the city, but the country as well.  This again is considered a fulfillment of prophecy.  A third time an angel appears to Joseph telling him that the evil ruler, who had wanted to kill Jesus, was dead and that Joseph should take Mary and Jesus back to Israel.  We’re told Joseph ‘was afraid to go there’ because Herod’s son was ruling.  Again, Joseph is warned in a dream, and then decides to settle his family in the town of Nazareth located in the district of Galilee.  This again, is considered to be a fulfillment of prophecy.  I encourage you to read about  this for yourself in chapters 1 & 2 of the Gospel of Matthew.

I’m not inclined to the study of stars and their placement, I’m not into astrological readings, etc.  But I do find it interesting that in Matthew’s Gospel the men from the east who followed a star to Bethlehem are considered wise.  Also interesting is reading that the evil king, Herod, consulted the star-gazers and enlisted them to find Jesus and report his location to him.  Upon seeing Jesus they were filled with Joy.  Then they were warned in a dream about the evil intent of Herod, they went back home a different way, without informing Herod.  It must have been an angel of the Lord that warned them.

The next chapter of Matthew’s Gospel jumps forward about 30 years.  Quite a large gap of missing information.  So what draws people toward believing in this story about Jesus’ birth, or at least investigating it.  Personally, I believe the work of the Holy Spirit calls out to people in every generation, beckoning them to listen, and to discern what is happening in their personal lives and in the world around them.   I believe this because Jesus said there are spiritual forces of evil that are opposed to the spiritual force of holiness.

It is written, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.” (Proverbs 16:21 NIV)

It’s also written, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:25 NIV)

Let us pray,

Lord God,  Thank you for the stories about the birth of Jesus, how Joseph felt and how he responded to your angels.   Thank you for the  story about the Wise Men and Herod.  Thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit working in the hearts of men and women in the past.  Thank you for the people who wrote the oral stories on paper and those who have translated them into many languages. Please continue to pour out your Holy Spirit, especially granting people the gift of discerning wisdom and teaching.  We ask this for the preservation of your Word and Creation and the Salvation of our Souls and Lives, to the Glory of Your Name.  AMEN

(c) June G Paul, Dec. 16, 2019