12 Things We Learn About God from the Christmas Story

It’s hard to slow down during the Christmas season. Six weeks fly by with all the extra activities and people around. For me, that includes slowing down to read my Bible: it just seems harder at this time of year! But I want to challenge you to re-read the Christmas story slowly and with fresh eyes this year. (Focus on Matthew 1&2 and Luke 1&2). When you do, ask yourself one simple question - What does this story tell me about GOD?!

I believe God gave us the scriptures in order to communicate His story so that we can know Him. I don’t want the Christmas story to slip by feeling like a well-loved fairy tale… that’s not what it is! It’s a historical account of God Himself breaking into the world in the flesh so we could see what he’s really like. So this year, re-read the Christmas story with your eyes locked on Him.

I found 12 things to note: I’m sure you’ll be able to add to my list as you make your own!

1. God Keeps His Promises

When you’re in doubt or you can’t see what’s happening, remember that God keeps his promises. It’s no secret that God prophesied about the coming of the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophesies — and that’s a conservative estimate. Many of those had to do with his birth. God isn’t just in control. He sees what’s coming, so we don’t have to.

2. God Is Unpredictable

God doesn’t play by our rules. He didn’t descend as an awe-inspiring, full-grown adult from the heavens to free his people. He used an unwed virgin as the holy vessel to arrive on earth as a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. He had her fiance marry her despite the socially unacceptable appearance of their situation. God loves throwing curve balls that force us to let go of control and rest in his will.

3. God Communicates with People

If you pray, God will answer you. He doesn’t leave his people hanging. When he set his rescue plan for humanity in motion, he made it clear to the main participants what was going on. He sent angels to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds. He set a star in the sky to catch the attention of some astrologically-obsessed wise men. When God communicates, it’s a clear call. Make sure you’re ready to answer.

4. God Deserves Reverence

God’s arrival on earth may have been quiet and simple, but he was born as the King of Kings. Therefore, from day one, he was worthy of all honor. In the Christmas story, the Magi and their gifts remind me of that. They gave up everything they had to pursue a sign in the sky of a great king. They brought costly gifts to give to him. They had reverence and honor worthy of a king.

5. God Values the Lowly

God involved shepherds in his birth story. There’s a lot of debate over the status of shepherds during Biblical times, but they certainly were not at the top of the social hierarchy. God’s deliberate announcement through his angels to the shepherds is a great reminder that he values those society sees as lowly.

6. God Asks for Obedience

When God calls us to join his work, it’s ultimately for our good. But obedience to Him is never easy! God expected a lot from the people in the Christmas story. Mary had to give up control to Him, travel a long way, and have a baby in a very uncomfortable situation. She and Joseph had to endure the sting of criticism and whispers of doubt and judgment. Obedience is costly, but when we willingly follow, we end up part of God’s incredible story!

7. God Is a Servant Leader

The God of the universe was born in a stable. Let this sink in for a minute. He came without fanfare (apart from a choir of angels performing an exclusive show on the outskirts of town). He was born into a situation that perfectly reflected his future position as a servant leader. Philippians 2 says that Jesus didn’t consider equality with God something to be held onto during his days on earth. He gave up all his heavenly comforts to come and serve us.

8. God’s Message is Simple

The Gospel is about the salvation of mankind and the reunion of God with his creation. We make Christmas a complex celebration with lots of traditions and necessities when the heart of it is simple. In a season filled with over-the-top gestures and an endless struggle with commercialism, the story recorded in scripture is humble, simple, quiet, and pure. The good news that Jesus came to bring is easy to understand and open to all.

9. God Is in Control

God loves to plan things out — and he’s a much better planner than you or me. In Isaiah 55:8, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” Throughout the story, God reveals his plan, announces it ahead of time, and even sends angels to intercept people and keep them on track. God was always one step ahead of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus -- even when they had to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. It comforts me to remember that God is always a step ahead in my life, too.

10. God Sees & Includes

God brought a unique group together at Jesus’ birth, from shepherds to a teen mom to rich foreign aristocrats. Throughout the Christmas story and the gospels (especially the gospel of Luke!), we meet a God who sees and includes all kinds of people in his plans -- even those on the outskirts of society and beneath the notice of others. There’s a woman in the book of Genesis who figured this out about God, too, and called him “The God Who Sees Me.” God sees and includes you and me in his plans for goodness and life, even when others overlook or dismiss us.

11. God Creates Joy from Sacrifice

The angels in the Christmas story arrive with tidings of great joy, but it’s for a baby who was wrapped in funeral clothes at his birth. The joyful beginning of the Christmas story leads to the sacrifice at the cross -- which is, in turn, connected to the greatest joy of the resurrection and eternal salvation. In the Kingdom of God, painful sacrifice begets joy through a God who makes all things work together for his plans and your own good. It makes me less afraid of the times I have to sacrifice to follow Jesus because I can trust it will turn into greater joy in the end.

12. God Wants His Story Shared

Remember, the Christmas story is the start of the Gospel that followers of Jesus are called to share with every nation on earth. It is the launching point for the Great Commission The first ones to share were the shepherds running through the streets of Bethlehem, seeking a newborn baby and then returning to praise and glorify God when they found him. This should still be the path for us two millennia later!

Christmas is a Story about God

As you race from one thing to the next, take the time in the next couple of weeks to read the Christmas story slowly. I think you’ll find a God that is exactly who you hope He will be in your own life. It’s fun to see family, and presents are great! But life-changing takeaways from scripture will build your trust in Him and have the power to create something in your heart that lasts well beyond December.

Merry Christmas!

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