Upon the Canvas of the Sky

We come again to a moment of reflection and solemn contemplation concerning the birth of the Savior of the world. We often lament the busy, hectic, and worldly nature of the day; however, despite those very real distractions and complaints, the meaning and significance of the miracle which occured two thousand years ago is neither dimmed nor diminished.
The first Christmas eve is often depicted as quiet and still, but it was far from it. All of Israel was moving, not to buy gifts, but to return each one to his own town or village to be counted for the purpose of Roman taxation. The chaotic nature of the event was further complicated for a young couple expecting their first child and finding no room in which to lodge.

^{Lk 2:1}And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

The entire experience surrounding the joy of expectation had been muddled, muted, and confused by angelic visitations, disturbing dreams, and impossible circumstances. When confronted with moments of uncertainty, doubt, and struggle in our own lives, we would do well to remember the value of trust learned in the crucible of experience.

^Matt1:18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

²⁰But 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.

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.


Through it all, Mary and Joseph held firm to their extraordinary faith and their love for the Lord and for one another. God chose these two remarkable young people to receive the greatest of earthly blessings and the most awesome of earthly responsibilities, knowing that they would be equal to the task through His strength as their guide. Wholly dependent upon God and His promises, they overcame the difficulties, innuendo, hurt, and fear to set an example of faith, love, and worship that is often lost in the telling of the tale.

^{Lk. 1:27}To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

³²He 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:

³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵And 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.

³⁶And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷For with God nothing shall be impossible.

³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

⁴⁰And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴²And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

The greatest thing concerning that first Christmas is, of course, it's true meaning for mankind. In an eternal moment in time, God intersected history in a way both personal and poignant - God became flesh and dwelt among us. God became flesh to become like unto us, apart from sin. God became flesh to live a perfect sinless life, thus perfectly fulfilling the law and the prophets. God became flesh to become a like sacrifice for mankind, one day paying the penalty for our sins and breaking the power thereof. God became flesh - divinity took upon itself human nature that humanity might take upon itself the divine nature - life and immortality brought to light through the good news that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him has everlasting life...
The light of Bethlehem's star guided men to come to worship - to see that which God had accomplished and to bow in humility and dependence. The brilliance of the radiance of the Glory of the Lord illuminated the canvas of the sky, and upon that canvas the shepherds saw the awesome, fearful power of God and were commanded to fear not, but be joyfully drawn to the peace of Christ. Men are still drawn to the Christ, for the message is the only hope of man - an eternal voice which redounds through the halls of history and alights upon the ears of those who have ears to hear. His death conquering life is lived beyond the birth, beyond the life, beyond the cross, beyond the tomb. This never-ending, resurrection life is offered as a gift, an unspeakable, incomprehensible gift to mankind. May those of us who have received it be forever thankful and may those who still seek, find...

^Lk2:6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS