Matthew 11:29, I am gentle and humble in heart, said Jesus. Jesus not only said this but proved it also by being born in a humble manger. Jesus was in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means , “House of Bread“. The Living Bread was born in Bethlehem.
1.Jesus was born among the meek: Isaiah 49:16, See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. The Bible teaches us Father created us in His own image and has our names written in the palms of His hand. Yet angel Gabriel did not say, Hail be to you, Mary. Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anne. Gabriel says to her in Luke 1, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” He goes on to say, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. Being a virgin the only thought that came across Mary was , 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
To this, 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
The humble Mary answered, 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Rejoicing in the blessing she received Mary sings to the Lord praising, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. This humility was the reason why the angel of the Lord comes to her and says that you are favored by the Lord.
2.The Holy Spirit moves from one person to another: Elizabeth’s condition was highly pitiful. Those times were not transport friendly, Mary hurried to the side of Elizabeth. At that time Elizabeth was pregnant and for five months had remained in seclusion. Mary greeted her cousin Elizabeth and 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful greeting was this??? What an experience??? Mary sang filled with gladness in her heart in Luke 1:46-55,“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Till the end of time, the world will proclaim her holy and call and adore her as the Mother of God.
3.The downtrodden of the society got the chance to see Jesus: The angel of the Lord did not appear before the Kings or High Priests. Instead the angel appeared first before the downtrodden or lowest strata of society, the shepherds. It was before them the host of angels sand the Good News. The only thing that the shepherds owned were their flock. They were wanderers and did not have any permanent place to live. They moved from place to place in search of new and greener pastures.
Let us imagine the happening. A cold wintry night, the humble shepherd folks are gathered around the burning fire to ward off the cold winds. Suddenly a light flashed before them equivalent to 1000 stars together. From that light there appeared and angel of the Lord. They must have been terrified and amazed at the sight. In their ignorance they must have thought it is some kind of unknown prey that has come to attack their sheep. Immediately there came upon them a melodious voice that soothed away their fears. Luke 2: 10-14, 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
That divine vision left them after sharing the Good News.
Luke 2:15, 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” As soon they heard the Good News they left for Bethlehem to see baby Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:7, 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
4. The hard hearted inn keeper: Even today we say that the Saviour did not get a place to be born. The inn keeper did not make use of the blessed opportunity that came his way. The inn keeper denied the chance to be the protector of the parents of the Saviour of the world. He was filled with pride at his position and his heart was hardened. Hebrews 13:2, 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Dear children of God father Abraham received the blessing of Isaac from the angel of the Lord when he showed hospitality. Galatians 3:9, 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Let me share with you a world known play. Children once were performing the Nativity play. The child playing the role of the inn keeper after denying entrance to Mary and Joseph broke down into bitter tears and cried out loud, ‘I will give you place to stay at my home. The Savior, baby Jesus will be born in my house.’ Everyone present broke into silent tears seeing the child’s innocence and love for Jesus.
This Christmas may we too keep inside us some of the innocence and love of that child within ourselves also.
Jehovah Roi 