I can remember one year when my dad and I searched for a while for the perfect tree. As I was walking alongside my dad with my hip boots on I was picturing in my mind all the red, blue, green, yellow lights that would be placed on the tree. Dad chose a tree and began to chop it down. Once we arrived home with the tree and placed it in a stand, it looked more like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. But we accepted and appreciated the tree because dad picked this tree out for his family. I now look at the photo of this tree and realize that it was the perfect tree.
This particular story was unique to my life, most of us have wonderful Christmas memories. And I imagine that has been true since the beginning. Sometimes I like to think about the people who were there at the first Christmas and what they must have remembered throughout their lives.
First of all, Joseph. He probably did not live very long, because according to the Scripture, he’s not on the scene when Jesus is crucified. But I can imagine that as the years went by, Joseph thought about the day he traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem under the decree of Augustus Caesar. He must have been anxious; Mary was going to have a baby and the journey was hard. Then they arrived in Bethlehem that night and were turned away from every inn in the village. He must have been sensitive to her needs and very disappointed to see his wife give birth in a stable. I’m sure Joseph thought about that Christmas many times-about all the things he would like to have done differently if he could. And yet, what really happened the first time he looked upon his son, God’s Son, isn’t recorded in the Bible.
Then I think about the memories Mary must have had-for Mary would never forget what the angel said to her: “And behold, you will conceive…and bear a son and you shall name him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). The Bible says she kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. As the years went by, she must have thought back on that remarkable night when she gave birth to the Son of God and what she felt when she looked into the face of her little baby. If what the angel said was really true, she was looking into the face of God, who had just come from her womb. How could she ever forget the memories of her first Christmas?
And there are the shepherds. Some of them would have been around throughout Jesus’ life and might even have seen Him crucified, as Mary did. As the years went by, how often did they say, “Let me tell you the greatest thing that ever happened in my life!” I imagine them recounting how everything was quiet out in the fields, when all of a sudden an angel appeared and made a declaration that had been prophesied for over 400 years. Of all the people to whom that announcement could have been made, it was a group of shepherds who first heard the news. Luke 2:8-11 says they were in the fields keeping watch over their flock when the angel appeared and proclaimed, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” The promised Messiah! Lodged in their memory forever were the excitement, the anticipation, the fear, the questions, and the doubts. How could they ever forget that night in Bethlehem when they finally found Mary and Joseph and the baby?
And then, I think about someone else on that first Christmas. He learned about the Christ child from traveling wise men. They were, more than likely, descendants of people who had been influenced by Daniel the prophet, from whom they had learned the Scriptures. (The prophecy of Daniel 9: 24-25 gives the time of Jesus’ birth). These wise men of the East had been following a star when they arrived in Jerusalem.
On that particular night, according to the Bible, they were searching for the newborn King of Kings. Their queries about His birth led them to a private audience with Herod the Great. He told them to report back after finding the king so he, too, could go and worship the child (Matthew 2:8).
They left the jealous king anxiously awaiting their return, and followed the star to Bethlehem. There, they found their Lord in a stable and presented Him with precious gifts. Before they left, God warned the men not to go back to see Herod. The Bible says they went home a different way (Matthew 2:12). They would never forget that.
Herod the Great didn’t know anything about what was going on until these wise men reported that they had been following a star which indicated that a king had been born in the land. A sudden fear gripped him because he was obsessed with power and could not tolerate the thought of anyone in the kingdom who was not subject to him. Herod must have remembered vividly how he felt when he realized the wise men were not going to return. Overcome by anger, he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to kill every single baby under the age of two. Of all the people in the story so far, King Herod is the only one who never saw Jesus. He died before Jesus grew up.
I have the wonderful privilege of remembering many happy times at Christmas, but paramount above all is this: there came a day when I received Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. From that moment on, I have been living in the light, hope, and joy of everlasting life. That day is the most important day of my life.
Herod couldn’t kill Him, and no other king, dictator, or world ruler can either. He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, forever our God. Those who have been wise enough to accept Him have a hope that no experience will ever be able to remove. Our names have been written in the Lamb’s book of life, and we are heaven-bound, eternal sons and daughters of the King of Kings.
I have a lot of wonderful memories of Christmas. It is my prayer that if you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, this year you will have the best memory: knowing Jesus and what Christmas is all about. You can discover Him today, for He has already discovered you. He is willing to forgive you of all your sins.
Someday soon, each of us will stand before the Lord and face our eternal destiny. We can spend eternity with Jesus Christ, enjoying some great memories. Or we can spend it separated from Him and haunted by the consequences of our poor decision. The night Christ was born, that choice became ours.
The Christmas season is the busiest time of the year. People hurry here and there to buy gifts and plan parties and visit relatives. Sometimes Christmas comes and goes, and there is little time to think about what it really means. Wherever you are-with friends or alone, at home or at work-and whoever you are-rich or poor, well-known or obscure-you can have an absolutely unforgettable Christmas this year. If you know Jesus, praise Him and spend this time growing closer to Him. That will be the greatest gift you receive. If you don’t know Him yet, pray to receive Him into your heart, and join Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, the wise men, and millions of other people who are His beloved followers. Your life will never be the same! Amen.
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