The truth is that all of us have expectations of hope, love, joy, and peace. Yet, save one, all our pursuits to meet these expectations fall short. When we come to Christ, our expectations are more than satisfied. Therefore, as we celebrate Jesus’s birth, His coming, let’s explore how the expectant Christ, born in a humble stable, remains the central focus of this sacred Christmas season and the only one who exceeds all expectations.
To fully appreciate the expectant event of Jesus’ birth, it’s essential to consider the context provided by Old Testament prophecies. These prophecies, found in various books of the Old Testament, created a sense of expectancy and hope among the Jewish people, who were eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah. The Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s arrival date occurred centuries before Jesus’ birth. For instance, the book of Isaiah foretold the birth of a child who would be called “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). Isaiah also proclaimed that a “shoot from the stump of Jesse” would bring justice and righteousness (Isaiah 11:1-4). These prophecies created an atmosphere of hope and longing among the Jewish people, especially during times when they were ruled by foreign powers. The historical and cultural context of Christ’s birth is marked by Roman rule in the region. The Jewish people were subjected to Roman authority, which led to a desire for a Messiah who would liberate them from oppression and establish a new kingdom. The birth of Jesus perfectly fulfilled these Old Testament prophecies and well over three hundred others. These prophecies and the background surrounding Christ’s birth provide us with the foundation for expecting more for our lives.
The Christmas account takes us to the quiet town of Nazareth, where a young lady named Mary was chosen for a divine purpose. She humbly replied, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). With Mary’s faithful acceptance, the answer to the long-lasting expectancy of the miraculous birth of the Messiah began to take shape. Meanwhile, Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, a righteous and just man, was also visited by an angel in a dream. In Matthew 1:20, we read that the angel declared, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Joseph, a carpenter by trade, was chosen to be the earthly father of the Son of God. This angelic visitation brought clarity and peace to his heart, and he obediently took Mary as his wife. The Annunciation, the pronouncement of Christ’s birth, provides us with a greater understanding of how our expecting more for our lives is to be fulfilled.
In the Gospel of Luke, it’s written, “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). It’s mind-blowing. The King of Kings, the Savior of all, entered the world not in a palace or amid grandeur but in a lowly stable amidst the company of livestock. This choice was deliberate and carried a profound message: God’s love is accessible to all, regardless of their social status or worldly standing. The humble surroundings of the stable epitomize the humility of the Christ child and His mission to bring salvation to all people, as the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:6-8. Jesus’ humble birth in Bethlehem in a stable provides us with a greater understanding of the character and heart of the One, and only One, who can meet and exceed our expectations.
The first who received news of Christ’s birth were shepherds. When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem, they were filled with fear and amazement. The shepherds, overwhelmed by this divine revelation, hurried to Bethlehem to see the newborn Savior. Their hearts were filled with joy and wonder as they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had told them. We read, “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (Luke 2:20). The account of the shepherds and their reaction to Christ’s birth provides us with hope that each of us can come to our expectant Lord.
The birth of Jesus holds profound significance for all of us. Consider the Incarnation and the fulfillment of the promise that God would be with us. This divine event, as foretold in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, carries deep implications that ought to continue to shape our beliefs and understanding of life. The term “Incarnation” refers to the profound mystery of God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This is wonderfully expressed in the Gospel of John. I like the way The Message words this verse, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (John 1:14). The Incarnation – God being with us underscores God’s desire to be present in our lives, to save us from our sins, and to offer the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ. Christ’s birth opened the door for each of us who receive Him as Savior and Lord to find the hope, love, joy, peace, and ultimate salvation we all are expectant of and need.
Imagine a child’s delight when they receive a Christmas gift that far surpasses their wildest dreams. In Christ, we’re given the gift of salvation that exceeds all expectations, a hope that’s unshakable, a love that’s boundless, a joy that’s everlasting, and peace that surpasses our understanding. Please consider, just as a humble stable became the birthplace of the King of Kings, we can find hope, love, joy, peace, and salvation in the most unexpected places and circumstances, such as right now, where you’re reading this writing when we open our hearts to Christ’s presence. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!