A Christmas Attitude

Introduction

The story of Christmas, as recorded in the Gospels, is a story and a narrative of great popularity. The story of Christ being born in a manger is one of amazement and wonder and shows the greatness of God. But, the story of Christmas is more than a story and it is more than a narrative. Like the rest of the Bible it contains lessons useful for teaching and training in righteousness. And the stories of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus are not the only Christmas stories from which teaching can be drawn. The examples of many characters who witness the birth of Christ demonstrate how the attitudes of all people should toward Jesus Christ.

A Contrast: The Shepherds and the Inn

Luke 2 contains the story of the shepherds who are watching their sheep at the time of Christ’s birth. Luke 2:8-12 says:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (NIV)

This passage details how the shepherds come to know about Christ being born. Following these verses the heavens come alive with the heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV)

Following this, Luke 2:16-20 reads:

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

The shepherds, though tending sheep, find an immense amount of time to visit the baby and then “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” The shepherds believe this Baby to be the Savior and time is taken to spread the Word about this Child. The attitude of the shepherds is one all should desire to possess. The shepherd’s attitudes toward the Messiah allow them to make “room” in their schedule to spread the word about the Messiah. It is important to contrast the attitude of the shepherds to what happens when Mary and Joseph attempt to get a room at the inn:

…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)

The story of the inn is quite popular and at the time of Christ’s birth no room is available due to the immense amount of business created by the census. This brings up an interesting question: Is life too busy for Christ? The shepherds, despite possessing the job of shepherding the sheep, find the time to spread the Word about Christ. Meanwhile, because the business of the time, the inn has no room. Is life like the inn or is life like the shepherds? Is a “census” happening in life and making life to busy for this Child? These are important questions to think about. If the answer is “the inn” and “yes” then all Christians, myself included, should turn to the Word for a way to go from a busy inn to a joyous shepherd.

A Contrast: The Magi and the King

The final contrast has to do with the difference in the Magi and King Herod. Matthew 2:1-2 says of the wise men:

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, 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. (KJV, taken from Blue Letter Bible)

And the remainder of Matthew 2 details how King Herod is disturbed at the news of a “King of the Jews” and seeks to kill Jesus. King Herod is worried that this “King of the Jews” will wish to destroy and overthrow Herod and the Roman government. Herod is afraid of the changes that may come through this “King.” Meanwhile, the Magi, who are defined in the Greek “sorcerers” and simply “wise men” journey to find this Christ. Though they are “wise,” they are not worried about the change that comes from this King. They only wish to worship Him.

This presents the next set of questions. Christ is always looking to change Christians and to mold and shape them into what they are to be. Christ, like He does as a baby, looks to bring spiritual change. The question then is: Are we afraid the change that Christ brings? Or are we like Herod, fearing that our “kingdom” and “treasures” will be destroyed if we let Christ rule in life? Or are we like the Magi and willing to journey to search out this change?

A Christmas Attitude: Conclusion

The attitudes of those alive and present at Christ’s birth present some interesting questions that should be answered by everyone. Is life too busy? Is a fear of Christ’s change present and preventing one from truly “knowing” Christ? When these questions are answered and the Lord is allowed to work, the Christmas story truly comes alive. When these questions are answered, the Christmas story becomes more than a story, it becomes real.