The Characters of Christmas

1. The Christmas Story: A Cosmic Battle Between Good and Evil

Christmas, then, began long before that starry night in Bethlehem. It began in eternity, in the counsels of the Trinity, as God planned to redeem the world from sin.

God's grand plan. The Christmas story is not just about a baby in a manger, but a cosmic battle between good and evil that began in the Garden of Eden. It's the culmination of God's redemptive plan, promised throughout the Old Testament, to rescue humanity from sin and defeat Satan.

Fulfillment of prophecy. The birth of Jesus fulfills numerous prophecies, including:

• The promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring
• The covenant with David that his throne would be established forever
• Isaiah's prophecy of a virgin giving birth to Immanuel

The Christmas narrative weaves together elements of divine intervention, human obedience, and cosmic significance, setting the stage for Jesus' ultimate mission to save humanity from sin and death.

2. Joseph: The Unsung Hero of Obedience and Faith

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

Immediate obedience. Joseph's response to God's call demonstrates extraordinary faith and obedience. Despite the social stigma and personal cost, he chose to believe the angel's message and marry Mary.

Stewardship of the Son of God. Joseph's role went beyond just being a father figure:

• He protected Jesus from Herod's murderous intentions
• He raised Jesus in the ways of Jewish faith and culture
• He taught Jesus his trade as a carpenter

Joseph's quiet faithfulness and willingness to say yes to God's plan, even when it disrupted his own, serves as a powerful example of discipleship and trust in God's purposes.

3. Mary: God's Favor on the Humble and Ordinary

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed …"

God chooses the unlikely. Mary's selection as the mother of Jesus demonstrates God's pattern of using ordinary, humble people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Her response of faith and surrender, despite the challenges and uncertainties, exemplifies true discipleship.

The Magnificat. Mary's song of praise reveals profound theological insights:

• Recognition of God's mercy and faithfulness
• Acknowledgment of God's power to uplift the lowly and humble the proud
• Understanding of Jesus' mission to fulfill God's promises to Israel

Mary's story encourages believers that God can use anyone, regardless of social status or human qualifications, to play a significant role in His redemptive plan.

4. Angels: Heavenly Messengers Announcing God's Plan

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Divine messengers. Angels play a crucial role in the Christmas narrative, serving as God's messengers to announce the coming of the Messiah. Their appearances to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds underscore the supernatural nature of Jesus' birth.

Heavenly perspective. The angels' involvement provides a glimpse into the cosmic significance of Jesus' birth:

• They witness the unfolding of God's redemptive plan from creation to incarnation
• Their praise reveals the glory and wonder of God becoming human
• Their message emphasizes peace and God's favor towards humanity

The angelic announcements remind us that Christmas is not just a human event, but a divine intervention with eternal consequences.

5. Shepherds: The Marginalized Receive the Good News First

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

God's heart for the outcasts. The shepherds, considered lowly and unclean in their society, were chosen as the first recipients of the good news. This choice reflects the upside-down nature of God's kingdom, where the last become first.

Immediate response. The shepherds' reaction to the angelic announcement demonstrates the appropriate response to the gospel:

• They believed the message
• They went immediately to see Jesus
• They spread the news to others

The shepherds' story illustrates that the gospel is for all people, regardless of social status, and that those who respond in faith become witnesses to God's grace.

6. Wise Men: Seekers of Truth from Afar

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Persistent seekers. The wise men's journey from the East demonstrates the lengths to which genuine seekers of truth will go to find Jesus. Their persistence in following the star and their willingness to worship a child king show true faith.

Worship and sacrifice. The magi's response to finding Jesus exemplifies true worship:

• They bowed down before Him, recognizing His kingship
• They offered costly gifts, symbolizing sacrifice and devotion
• They obeyed God's warning, protecting Jesus from Herod

The wise men's story reminds us that Jesus came not just for the Jews, but for all nations, and that true worship involves both reverence and costly devotion.

7. Herod: The Dark Side of Christmas and Human Power

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

The threat of Jesus. Herod's violent reaction to Jesus' birth reveals how threatening the true King can be to those who cling to worldly power. His attempt to eliminate Jesus demonstrates the ongoing cosmic battle between good and evil.

Human power vs. divine sovereignty. Herod's actions and ultimate failure to thwart God's plan illustrate important truths:

• Human attempts to oppose God's purposes are futile
• Evil often targets the vulnerable in its quest for power
• God's sovereignty prevails even in the face of human wickedness

Herod's story serves as a warning against the corrupting influence of power and the futility of opposing God's plans.

8. Simeon and Anna: Faithful Anticipation Rewarded

Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.

Faithful waiting. Simeon and Anna represent those who faithfully anticipated the Messiah's coming. Their patient expectation and immediate recognition of Jesus demonstrate the importance of spiritual discernment and perseverance in faith.

Prophetic insight. Both Simeon and Anna spoke prophetically about Jesus' identity and mission:

• Simeon recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and a light to all nations
• Anna spoke about Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem

Their stories encourage believers to cultivate spiritual sensitivity and to persevere in hope, trusting in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

9. Jesus' Genealogy: A Lineage of Surprising Characters

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Divine plan through human history. Jesus' genealogy in Matthew's Gospel demonstrates how God worked through human history, including flawed individuals, to bring about His redemptive plan.

Inclusion of the unlikely. The genealogy includes surprising characters:

• Women like Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, often with scandalous histories
• Gentiles and outsiders, showing God's plan for all nations
• Sinners and failures, illustrating God's grace and redemption

This lineage reveals that God's family includes the broken, the outsider, and the sinner, offering hope and inclusion to all who come to Christ in faith.

10. The Upside-Down Nature of God's Kingdom

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Unexpected King. The circumstances of Jesus' birth – in a humble stable, to ordinary parents, announced to shepherds – reveal the upside-down nature of God's kingdom. This King came not in power and majesty, but in humility and vulnerability.

Kingdom values. The Christmas story introduces key themes of God's kingdom:

• The exaltation of the humble and lowly
• The inclusion of outsiders and sinners
• The subversion of worldly power structures
• The value of faith over social status or human wisdom

These paradoxical elements of the Christmas narrative challenge our assumptions about power, status, and how God works in the world, inviting us to embrace the counter-cultural values of His kingdom.

Last updated: November 21, 2024