Christmas Controversy #4

Matthew 2:1-6: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

[2] 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.

[3] When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

[4] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

[5] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

[6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

The 400 Silent Years ended when a choir of angels, radiating divine glory, descended from the heavens. They illuminated the night sky over Bethlehem and announced the birth of Jesus Christ to a humble group of shepherds tending their flocks in the fields nearby.

This extraordinary event was not announced to kings, rulers, or influential figures but was exclusively revealed to ordinary, humble people. The shepherds, who were likely considered caretakers of the perfect lambs destined for sacrifice at the temple, were chosen to witness this divine revelation, indicating their significant spiritual role.

Beneath the radiant angels and heavenly chorus, no other residents of Bethlehem—including townspeople or officials—saw this miraculous event. It was a unique privilege granted only to the shepherds to behold the newborn Jesus lying in a manger. They found Him wrapped in strips of cloth—swaddling clothes—and laid in a manger carved from stone, which served as a makeshift crib in the stable typically used for feeding animals.

The blessed Family was there because all inns and lodging places in Bethlehem were full due to the census and local influx of people. The first Christmas was marked by simplicity and humility, devoid of any pomp or grandeur. As the shepherds left the scene, they were filled with joy and awe, becoming the first messengers to proclaim the birth of Jesus to others.

Meanwhile, a caravan of wise men, or Magi, journeyed from the East across deserts and rugged mountains, guided by a prominent star that appeared in the night sky. Having studied ancient prophetic writings and celestial signs, they sought the King of the Jews, believing His birth to be a fulfillment of prophecy.

Their search led them not to a stable but to a modest house in Bethlehem, indicating a move from a humble place to a more settled dwelling. Although they expected a royal child, they found only an unassuming boy. However, their unwavering faith in God’s Word compelled them to worship Him and present valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolic offerings representing kingship, divinity, and suffering.

As the angelic forces celebrated Jesus’ birth through the shepherds and the Magi, Satan also sought to disrupt God's divine plan. After the Magi departed for their homeland, guided by divine direction to take a different route back, the blessed Family was warned in a dream to escape to Egypt to avoid King Herod’s murderous plot.

In his jealousy and out of desperation to eliminate the newborn Savior, Herod decreed that all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem be killed, in an effort to ensure the death of the Christ child. During this dark period, innocent blood was shed as Satan strove to thwart God's plan and prevent the fulfillment of Jesus’ divine mission as the Messiah and the Savior of mankind.

Nothing could stop the will of God. Every prophecy pointing to the Savior was fulfilled. As a child, he lived an everyday life until the fullness of His time arrived, which led Him to fulfill all righteousness, beginning with His baptism, temptation, and the founding of the New Testament Church.

Life was never easy for the Savior. He was constantly opposed, hindered, questioned, and threatened to stop Him from completing His goal. Before He was crucified, He was left all alone by His disciples, who fled, afraid to be identified with Him.

When He died on the cross bearing our sins, the enemy claimed victory without realizing that His death secured his final defeat, for after three days, as He foretold, He rose from the grave triumphant, fulfilling the promise of redemption God declared in the garden of Eden.

His greatest ordeal was in another garden (Gethsemane) when He asked the Father to “let this cup pass,” but because of what happened in Eden, He had to submit and finish His work, which He did completely! Praise God!

(To be continued)