The shock of the announcement lingers as the news comes across the airwaves. This year, 2023, Christmas is cancelled in Bethlehem. No joyful celebration. Only fears and sorrows adorn the city as war rages against Israel. In the midst of this report we hear of a pastor who becomes a caretaker of Christmas in the city of Bethlehem. This Rev. Munther Isaac places the creche in the middle of the rubble that litters his chapel.
Why He Came
At first thought, this action seems like such a dichotomy. Why place the symbol of Christmas celebration on the ruins of broken walls and buildings. Yet isn’t that why He came? To bring hope to the hopeless and healing for the broken.
In fact, Jesus, Himself proclaims it.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”
Luke 4:18
Before Christmas
Before Christmas made its entrance into Bethlehem for the first time, fears and sorrows bombarded Joseph’s life unexpectedly.
His heart felt like a warzone as his plans crashed around him in response to Mary’s explanation.
Josephs thoughts swirled in unending patterns of mental contortions. When all was said and done, the story that Mary had told him came down to her unfaithfulness.
Joseph walked through the coming days in a mental fog. He did his daily work on autopilot. Joseph recalled again the look of hurt and anguish on Mary’s face when she realized that he did not believe what she was saying. Yet, how could he? Logically, there was no explanation for her pregnancy except for unfaithfulness.
What about your life? Do fears and sorrows hold you captive? Have you succumbed to the battle that surrounds you? Do mental gyrations have you in a hot mess of overwhelm and uncertainty?
Christmas is not always tied up in pretty bows and perfect packages. However, it is in the middle of disasters that God shows up.
We find Joseph in such a state as he faces the unprecedented collapse of his plans. Hurt throbbed in his breast as his marriage celebration was cancelled.
When the Story Changes
However, in the darkness, just before breaking of day, about the time Joseph had decided to thrust Mary aside, an angel from heaven broke through the blackness. It was with a message that is still filled with ringing clarity today.
“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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20b-21
God was calling Joseph to step into the miracle of Christmas.
In the middle of the rubble of his life, God came down and changed his story.
The prophets had declared His coming and in this first book of the New Testament, Matthew states it again.
“Behold 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.”
Matthew 1:23
As the light pierced the darkness of night, Joseph arose and obeyed the command of the angel. It wasn’t the large celebration that had been planned, but a quiet resolve that cloaked his actions as Joseph took Mary to be his wife.
A Caretaker for Jesus
God has chosen Joseph to be His Son’s caretaker. When forced to report to Bethlehem for a census, Joseph carried with him the determination to be the keeper of this precious Christ Child.
That night in Bethlehem, with Roman soldiers holding the town in its grip, a roughhewn cave became the space for the Savior of the world to be born. A Holy God came down to be with us.
God was intent on bringing the gift of salvation. He came to lift the ones bowed in sorrow and give joy and peace. Moreover, those held captive by the chains of sin could be freed through God’s incredible gift. Christmas had come. A Christmas filled with hope and healing.
Though today the streets of Bethlehem are bereft of the throngs of merrymakers, there is still God with us.
Keeping Christmas
In the rubble of our lives, He comes. War cannot quench the One who is Christmas. Fears and sorrows do not hold sway when Jesus comes. We can celebrate throughout the year because Jesus is alive and well.
It was Charles Dickens who said, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and will try to keep it the whole year.”
Today, become a caretaker of Christmas. With quiet resolve open your heart to the God who is come down for you. Then celebrate Him. Keep Christ central in your life. Obedience and worship are the two main ingredients needed to keep Christmas the whole year through.
It’s not the glowing lights, the festive celebrations nor the gaily wrapped packages that is Christmas. Jesus is Christmas.
When the hardship and sorrows of life try to cancel the celebrations of Christmas in your heart, determine to become a keeper of the Christ Child. Honor Him with your obedience. Worship Him in the midst of life’s rubble. In this way you will become a caretaker for Christmas.
Will you be a keeper of Christmas for more than a day?
What can you do to make space for Jesus and keep Christmas all year long?
0 Comments