2006-12-24 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church 

In Luke chapter 2, we see Joseph and Mary making the journey to Bethlehem to be taxed.  When they arrived, they found no place to stay, so Mary, being “great with child”, gives birth to her firstborn son in a stable. The angel of the Lord appears to shepherds in the field, making the announcement that a Savior, Christ the Lord is born in Bethlehem. 

Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

If the angel of the Lord appeared in shining glory to some rich folks in Jerusalem, interrupting their lives as they watched big-screen TV while munching on microwaved popcorn in the air-conditioned comfort of their luxury town home, and told them that Christ the Lord is born, they probably would have asked if he could wait until the next commercial to tell them, and insisted that he turn down the glory a little because it was causing a glare on the TV screen. 

To a shepherd who had been camping in the field, a manger probably sounded like a nice warm place, but to those who dwell in nice houses, it is inconceivable that Christ the Lord would be born in such dirty, humble surroundings. 

Would a person living in their comfortable home believe the angel, and go see the baby Jesus?  A lowly shepherd might have more interest in going to visit this baby, and then seeing the signs, go spread the good news abroad.  Would a well-to-do person expect to see Christ the Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes, or royal pajamas?  Would a haughty person even believe this was Christ the Lord, lying in a manger? 

The Lord Jesus, Creator of this world, came into this world as a vulnerable baby, not a powerful king.  He was not wrapped in satin and silk, He was not laid in a royal crib gilded with gold and precious jewels, and He was not born in a high palace overlooking the capital city.  His own people did not believe him.  His crown was made of thorns. 

1 Corinthians 1:25-31 

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

God can make the most unexpected things happen.  He can use our weakness to His glory, but our pride stands in His way.  Those who are strong on their own have no need of God.  Those who are wise on their own have no need of God. 

While Jesus was here in the flesh, He was the light of the world, but He has given us with that job now (John 9:5, Matthew 5:14).  Are we so comfortable in our nice homes that we refuse to see what those shepherds saw?  Is our pride so great that we’re embarrassed to spread this good news?  Christ Jesus is alive!