HIS STORY: ALL of Creation was represented in the Story of Christ's Birth!

God…

John 1: The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. 

² He was with God in the beginning.

³ Through him all things were made;

without him nothing was made that has been made.

⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Philippians 2

                       Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ                     

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father

Jesus Christ, above all and before all, represented God the Father and the Spirit.

I have a hypothesis that I’m going to share with you this morning. 

I believe that just about everything in all of creation was, in some way, represented in the story of Christ’s birth…in fact I HAD to make myself stop looking for ways…

Let me show you what I’m talking about.

We have already seen that JESUS represented the Father in human form.

But then the earthly Family was represented in Jesus’ birth

Jesus was born into a family.

He had…

·        a mom and an earthly dad; a “normal” more or less, kind of family

·        aunts and uncles

·        cousins

·        and brothers and sisters

·        maybe even grandparents

Mary and Joseph represent the human family and community

·        He did not come into an institution.

·        He was not born into a social club or organization.

God placed Jesus very purposely in a family…

• Not a rich
• Well to do
• Cultured
• Esteemed
• Or royal family…

But with an unexpecting young woman and a surprised and bewildered carpenter.

• Jesus was born in a barn, a cave or some other lowly place-not a palace.
• He was placed in a manger trough-not a fancy warm incubator.
• He was wrapped in strips of linen-not warm, fleecy blankies and cushy diapers.
• There was no hospital, midwife or doctor: Jesus was probably either delivered by an angel or Joseph!

Jesus had the most humble beginning of all.

Then there were Shepherds

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.”

Luke 2:8-9

In most Sunday school Christmas pageants they are usually the extras.

All of the kids who don’t get cast in any of the other roles become shepherds…or even the sheep!

We have no clue how many shepherds there were there that day…

But I believe the shepherds may have represented many in the world both then and now:

• the lowly
• the poor
• the uneducated
• outcasts
• unnoticed
• uncared for
• neglected
• stinky
• the youngest; Some of those shepherds were probably just boys

They were, more than likely, at the very bottom of the Palestinian totem pole.

They were right down there with the tax collectors and the dung sweepers.

It’s interesting that only Luke even bothers to mention them as part of the Christmas story.

Certainly they represented “the least of these.”

The Wise Men eventually arrived with their entourage …

They aren’t numbered, except in Christmas stories;

Three gifts equal three Wise Men.

Undoubtedly, they most likely came with others.

Three solitary, wealthy looking men traveling a great distance by themselves, bearing rare and costly gifts would have been perfect targets for robbers and thieves.

And, in my thought process, they came representing…

• the gifted
• the elite
• the wealthy
• the educated
• the upper class
• the highly respected

Those with…

• Possibly some degree of royal birth
• A respectable genealogy
• Prestigious Pedigree
• They would have had notable initials behind their names
• They represent the philosophers; the thinkers, the writers

But I think they also represent the Gentiles…those not of Jewish birth.

In the story of Christ’s birth they represented the…

• aliens
• and foreigners
• The sojourners searching for something that needed to be found.

And what about their Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh?       

                                                                         

Although they were gifts given to the child Jesus I think, in a lot of ways, is it possible that the gifts represent the things of this world.

Most scholars believe that these were the gifts that would have been given in the ancient world to honor a king or a deity.

• ·        Gold: A precious metal.
• ·        Frankincense a perfume or incense,
• ·        Myrrh as anointing oil.

But, just between you and me, can I tell you something?

I think this is the ONE AND ONLY place where everyone and everything wasn’t represented.

You see, if the wise men had brought along their wise wives there would have been

• several bags of groceries,
• a boat load of diapers
• and a pocket full of quarters for the laundry mat! 

Never-the-less, we need to remember this…

The things of this world only have true meaning and eternal value when they are presented to the KING of kings!

And What About All Those Angels

Throughout His story from beginning to end angles kept showing up in a timely   manner…

•         To tell Mary the Good News
•       To tell Joseph it was okay, it was a “God-Thing”
•         To alert the shepherds
•         To stand guard
•         To herald the glorious with the hallelujah chorus

And everywhere He/She/they went the resounding message was, “BE NOT AFRAID!”

•         Don’t worry!
•        It’s all part of God’s plan
•         Every things going to be okay!
•         FEAR NOT! Good Tidings! Great Joy!

There were Animals:

Representing the Animal Kingdom, of course!

The Friendly Beast song would tell us that there were any number of animals present…

We have no idea what kind or how many, but surely the animals were not left out!

They were a part of the Genesis creation story and they survived the flood…there had to be animals, including a donkey, guarding the manger!

Jesus’ story is replete with the Supernatural: Not only angelic visits but also Dreams/Visions/Prophetic Announcements

Now Consider The Star

Didn’t it represent the heavens and the earth, the sun, the moon...all of the heavenly bodies.

The Star was the first GPS system.

No need for a Garmin or TomTom or my personal favorite~OnStar!

All of them are second rate compared to the star that led the shepherds and the wise men to Jesus.

It was a star that marked the holy place in Bethlehem!

A Star that led the wise men to Jesus.

We can’t forget the brass…

There was Cesar Augustus representing…

·        World authorities: “the powers that be”

World leaders…

·        kings and queens and princes and princesses

·        governors  and heads of state

·        presidents and prime ministers

·        chairs, chiefs and czars

Those who…

·        rule the nation’s kingdoms

·        reign on manmade thrones

·        dictate and decide the fate of their people

And Herod…

I believe Herod represented the Kingdom of Darkness: hell bent on destroying the Messiah.                                                              

Paul in Ephesians 6 calls them: The rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Surely Herod acted as…

•         the emissary
•      the pawn
•        the messenger of destruction
• …attempting to do the enemy’s bidding.

Herod stood to represent…

·        The “anti/Christs” of past, present and future.

·        Herod represents those who are destined for destruction.

·        He was a liar and a deceiver.

·        He characterized “selfish ambition and vain conceit”

Doesn’t it stand to reason that Herod also represents those who have been blinded by the enemy and…

• ·        cannot see
• ·        or hear
• ·        receive
• ·        or understand the Good News of Jesus Christ…

Like the Innkeeper who represented those who “had no room” for Jesus.

The Innkeeper and all the others who shut their door to Mary and Joseph represent those who have no room in their hearts.

·        They would kick Jesus to the curb.

·        They’re already full.

·        There is room for no more…certainly not the Christ child and His parents.

Zach and Liz/Simeon and Anna

Among my favorites are Zachariah and Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna…

I think these four godly and righteous individuals represent believers past, present and future.

They are…

·        The faithful

·        The Remnant

Those who would always remain from those who hear the Good News and yet choose to walk away.

I also think they represent the older generation of every generation.

All four of them would have been considered “old” by our standards and yet they were used mightily of God…for His purposes.

·        Zachariah and Elizabeth, in their old age, would parent John the Baptist; Jesus’ cousin, the one who would prepare the way.

·        Simeon refused to die until he had witnessed the Consolation of Israel…            the Messiah.

·        Anna lived in the temple; praying, fasting and worshipping and waiting.

All four were faithful and willing to be of service to God, regardless of their age.

All of Creation was represented in the Christmas Story!

SLIDE 12: And into this world-wide, all of creation story comes JESUS.

He is the one who levels the playing field for ALL…

Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In Him there is…

• ·        No rich or poor
• ·        Important or unimportant
• ·        Ill or well
• ·        Old or young
• ·        Sinner, Seeker or Saint
• ·        All are given a seat at the table if they receive Him.

Luke 13:29  
“People will come from east and west and north and south,

and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

And in the end “every knee will bow and every tongue confess

that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father!”

Christ’s birth ties together THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT.

The Old Testament Prophecy becomes New Testament reality in Jesus Christ.

His story speaks of… DIVINITY/HISTORY/PROPHECY/GEOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY/POLITICS/

ECONOMICS/ANGEOLOGY AND DEMONOLOGY/ ASTRONOMY/ BIOLOGY/GENETICS/ NATURE/ PHYSICS/SUPERNATURAL AND MIRACULOUS AND SUPREMICY

THEY ALL COME TOGETHER IN CHRIST

Colossians 1

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 

¹⁶ For in him all things were created: 

·        things in heaven and on earth,

·        visible and invisible,

·        whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; 

·        all things have been created through him and for him. 

¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church;

 he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, 

so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 

and through him to reconcile to himself all things,

whether things on earth or things in heaven, 

by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

JESUS; The Beginning and the End.

And all of the in between.

May every knee bow and every tongue confess that

HE is the LORD of lords and the KING of kings

now and forever, amen

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

AND THEN THERE IS THIS….

Video: It’s All About the Cross (the Ball Brothers)  

WOMEN CALLED BY GOD, Let's Talk about Criticism

If you know much about the Apostle Paul you know he suffered. I'm afraid I would have gone home after that first shipwreck...this guy experienced three!
He was beaten, stoned, imprisoned and in danger everywhere he went. He was hungry, cold, naked, thirsty and on the run. Friends turned to enemies and those he thought loyal abandoned him, but he just kept on going, a spiritual equivalent of the Energizer Bunny! His story amazes me. (2 Corinthians 11)

But one of the most nightmarish incidents happened on the Island of Malta after one of those shipwrecks (Acts 28). Paul and some of his fellow survivors washed up on shore and they were, fortunately, greeted by some friendly and hospitable islanders who made them welcome and quickly built a fire. Paul, in his helpful mode (and maybe wet and freezing) grabbed an armful of brush to throw on the fire, but low and behold, he was bit by a viper that happened to be hanging out in the brush.

In my minds eye, this nasty thing latched onto Paul's hand between his thumb and index finger...right there in that tender part of one's hand. I believe Paul, in one swift, but powerful, flick of his wrist sent that snake flying and went on about his business-while everyone else watched and waited, expecting him to swell up and die sooner than later! I believe Paul literally shook off that poisonous viper.

So my question is, and in truth this is addressed to women who have been called, by God, into ministry, what do you do with the criticism; the nasty letters, the snide remarks, the passive-aggressive comments and "the look" bestowed on you by those who believe that THERE IS NO PLACE FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY?

If you have bravely, courageously, faithfully followed after God and entered into ministry, at His beaconing, then you more than likely know exactly what I am talking about! I read just such a post on Facebook today. And, what really caught my attention was the number of women who had experienced similar criticism and the reoccurring theme was, "I just can't shake it off!" 

May I suggest that criticism wears the face of and flaunts the fangs of a poisonous viper? If we don't learn to shake it off, it will poison us...slowly, painfully and deliberately. Unfair, undo, unwelcome, ungracious and hateful criticism is the enemy's poison; his subtle destructive way of discouraging, devastating and devouring women who desire to be used of God. 

My guess is most of us are sensitive. We are empathetic. We have tender, soft hearts. We are often, unless we have "grown thick skin" vulnerable and open and we take things (like criticism) personally. But, Sisters, unless we choose to "shake it off" we will remain wounded and hurting. And, while I believe in "Wounded Healers" I also believe we need healing for those deep wounds in order to continue to be effective in whatever ministry God has called us to. 
We HAVE to learn to shake it off! 

I have totally taken Isaiah 52:2 out of context, but I believe there is a word here for each of us who find ourselves the object of criticism because of our role in God's kingdom... 
NLT "Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem. Sit in a place of honor. Remove the chains of slavery from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
ESV: Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

Don't be held captive by criticism.