Now, I know you can be transported when you read any book. But it’s different with the Bible, because this was written by the Holy Spirit. And so, when a passage is read to us, or preached to us, we are transported as witnesses, it can even happen when we read the passage or read about it…
We can be taken to that place in a way that is supernatural. The Bible is God speaking. He takes us there. He shows us what took place. In a different place. At a different time. And yet, we are there.
So, first, let’s get to Bethlehem. Are you travelling there with me?
Mary and Joseph have come to Bethlehem. She’s heavily pregnant. They had to go because the government told them to. This was where Joseph’s family was from. It was Roman law that everyone went back to their home-towns.
It’s night time. It’s the night before Christmas. But there had never been a Christmas Day.
And Mary is heavily pregnant, and in labour, they are needing to find somewhere to have the baby!
And then, in the early hours of Christmas morning, Mary gives birth to her firstborn—a son.
And the little baby is wrapped in cloths to keep him warm. They are poor, it’s all they have.
Where are they, well, it’s dark so you can’t work out where they are, is it a stable? Or is it a cave? Either way, it’s a place where animals have been kept. A few animals are still knocking about in fact. But it is shelter from the wind. From the wintery showers. And there’s an animal feeding-trough there. And he’s laid down to sleep there in that manger.
Look at the baby. He’s the promised baby. The Son of God.
We’ve gone there. But the Holy Spirit, through the Bible, can take us to another place.
Back to Christmas Eve, we’re in a field. Shepherds are watching sheep. Making sure no one steals them. Making sure wild animals don’t attack them—wolves, jackals, leopards, hyenas, eagles, vultures. Some of these sheep were going to be used in the temple for sacrifices, so they needed to not be maimed. These were sacrifice that would speak of the future Messiah.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appears. They go from darkness to the brightest light they’ve ever seen. The glory of the Lord shines all around them. They are terrified.
But the angel says: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in Bethlehem, the town of David, a Saviour has been born… to you.”
Guess what? He’s the Messiah. He’s the promised one. He’s the Lord God come down.
“You need to go look for him. You’ll find him wrapped in cloths. His parents are poor. You’ll know him when you see him wrapped in those old ripped up cloths, and lying in an animal’s feeding-trough (they don’t even have a cot for him at this point).”
Are you there in the field at night? Because it’s about to get even more exciting. Look up into the sky, already brightened by the glory of the Lord. But now, climbing out of heaven itself are thousands and thousands of angels, and they then surround the angel who was already standing there and then they start singing:
Glory to God.
Glory to God in the highest!And peace on earth.
Glory to God.
Glory to God.
Glory to God in the highest!And peace on earth.
Goodwill toward men.
Goodwill toward men.
Goodwill toward men.
Glory to God.
Glory to God in the highest!And peace on earth.
Goodwill toward men.
Goodwill toward men.
Goodwill toward men.
Goodwill.
Goodwill.
Goodwill.
Goodwill.Goodwill toward men.
And on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.
Then the angels go climb into heaven again, and suddenly, it is dark once more.
And the shepherds run to Bethlehem (run with them!), and they find Mary and Joseph, and the baby. Wrapped in cloths. Lying in a manger.
Christmas—this baby is our Saviour.
We must follow him—not only as a baby, but as an adult (go to all those places too). As a crucified Saviour. A buried Saviour. A resurrected Saviour. Ascended. Ruling from heaven. This is our King. This is our Saviour.
If you follow him, he’s been born for you too.
We need to continually take ourselves to where he was, and where he has been, and then also to where he is now…
Heaven, with his Father. From where we will join him when we die.
And then we can also take ourselves forward to the future, when heaven comes down to earth once again. When all things will be made new. We will see him, just like the shepherds saw him—but not in that manger. He is now glorified, grown-up, and glorious.
