The Considerable Experience of the Christmas Story
Introduction
John MacArthur once shared the fictional story of a little girl who came home from church waving a paper.
“Mommy,” she said excitedly, “My Sunday school teacher says I drew the most unusual Christmas picture she’s ever seen.”
Her mother took one look at the drawing and agreed with the teacher.
“This is beautiful honey, but why are all these people riding in the back of an airplane?”
“That’s the flight into Egypt,” the little girl replied.
“Oh,” said mother cautiously. “Who is this mean looking man in the front?”
“That’s Pontius the Pilot,” said the girl impatiently.
“I see. And here you have Mary and Joseph and the baby. But who is this fat man sitting behind Mary?”
The little girl sighed. “Can’t you tell? That’s Round John Virgin.”
Well, last Sunday evening, in a special candle-lighting service, we reflected upon the real wording of Josef Mohr’s memorable carol “Silent Night.” And in our thoughts, we gathered “Round yon virgin mother and Child.”
This morning, I want us to gather round again and consider the experience of the virgin that conceived and bore a Son, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.
Three weeks ago, we looked at The Controlled Environment Of The Christmas Story, and we noticed the preparation for Jesus’ birth.
Two weeks ago, we looked at The Comparative Elements Of The Christmas Story, and we noticed the purpose for Jesus’ birth. He was born to die.
Last week, we looked at The Close Encounter Of The Christmas Story, and we noticed the presentation of Jesus’ birth. The angel’s announcement to the shepherds was actually the birth announcement that the Father had sent out.
This morning, I want us to look at The Considerable Experience Of The Christmas Story, and basically I want us to ponder Jesus’ birth as Mary did. And I want us to ponder it and think about it in light of Mary’s experience.
From what we read of Mary, she must have been a very introspective person. There are several phrases that the Bible uses to point us to Mary’s introspectiveness and the fact that she thought a lot about what was going on in her life.
When Gabriel came…
(Luke 1:29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
cast in her mind – Greek 1260. dialogizomai; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. (gen.) to deliberate (by reflection or discussion). It has the idea of taking a mental inventory of what is happening. It is also translated as “consider, dispute, muse, reason, think.”
After the shepherds came…
(Luke 2:19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
pondered – Greek 4820. sumballo; to combine (to unify one’s thoughts in a rather intense way), consult, dispute, (mentally) to consider. It is also translated as “confer, encounter, help, make, meet with.” She encountered the details of the situations in her life frequently, and met with and conferred with these thoughts.
After meeting Simeon in the temple…
(Luke 2:33) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
marvelled – Greek 2296. thaumazo; to wonder; by implication it means to admire: --admire, have in admiration, wonder.
After seeing the twelve year old Jesus in the temple…
(Luke 2:51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
kept – Greek 1301. diatereo; to watch thoroughly, to observe strictly (almost as if through doing so, one keeps a guard over these thoughts); or it can negatively mean to avoid wholly.
She thought about the things that were happening in her life. She considered them. That’s why I’m calling this sermon “The Considerable Experience Of The Christmas Story.” Her experience was worthy of consideration. It was worthy of her consideration, and it is worthy of our consideration. So this morning…
I. Let’s Consider Mary And How She Was Moved By The Messenger
(Luke 1:26-38) – This Leads Us To Consider The Fact That God Considers Us
The word “angel” in verse 28 means “a messenger,” and we discover the message of this messenger.
A. Notice The Saying In This Passage
1. This Was A Tender Saying
a. There Was An Amazing Greeting Here
(Luke 1:28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail (Greetings), thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Gabriel said, “Greetings to the one who is accepted by God, accompanied by God, and appreciated by God.”
b. There Was Amazing Grace Here
(Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
favour – Greek 5485. charis; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): --acceptable, benefit, , gift, grace, joy liberality, pleasure.
2. This Was A Troubling Saying
(Luke 1:29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
a. It Caused An Inner Disturbance In Mary
troubled – Greek 1298. diatarasso; to disturb wholly, i.e. agitate (with alarm). It has the idea of opening a channel of stirring.
b. It Caused An Inner Discussion In Mary
cast in her mind – Greek 1260. dialogizomai; (this Greek word is similar to our word “dialogue”) to reckon thoroughly, i.e. to deliberate (by reflection or discussion): -- consider, dispute, muse, reason, think.
B. Notice The Son In This Passage
1. He Will Be The Sovereign Son
(Luke 1:31-33) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. {32} He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: {33} And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
2. He Will Be The Sacred Son
(Luke 1:34-35) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? {35} And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
holy – Greek 40. hagios, hag'-ee-os; from hagos (an awful thing); sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): --(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
II. Let’s Consider Mary And How She Magnified The Miracle
(Luke 1:39-55) – This Leads Us To Consider The Fact That God Changes Us
Even as Gabriel’s announcement to Mary is often called the “annunciation,” Mary’s words of praise in this passage of scripture are often called the “magnificat.” This designation comes from when Mary said in Luke 1:46, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”
magnify – Greek 3170. megaluno; to make (or declare) great, i.e. increase or exalt; also translated as “enlarge, shew great.”
A. Mary Magnified Her Personal Appreciation For God
(Luke 1:47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
rejoiced – Greek 21. agalliao, ag-al-lee-ah'-o; from agan (much) and G242 (to jump, gush, leap, spring up); properly it means to jump for joy, i.e. triumph, glory, rejoice: --be (exceeding) glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice (greatly).
1. She Seems To Rejoice In God’s Looking
(Luke 1:48) For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
regarded – Greek 1914. epiblepo, ep-ee-blep'-o; from G1909 and G991 (to look towards); to gaze at (with favor, pity or partiality): --look upon, regard, have respect to.
2. She Seems To Rejoice In God’s Lifting
low estate – Greek 5014. tapeinosis; depression (in rank or feeling):--humiliation, be made low, vile.
(Luke 1:49) For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
great things – Greek 3167. megaleios; magnificent, a conspicuous favor: -- wonderful works.
B. Mary Magnified The Powerful Acts Of God
1. Through These Actions He Has Revealed His Mercy
(Luke 1:50-53) And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. {51} He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. {52} He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. {53} He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
2. Through These Actions He Has Remembered His Mercy
(Luke 1:54-55) He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; {55} As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
III. Let’s Consider Mary And The Manner Of Her Marriage
(Matthew 1:18-25) – This Leads Us To Consider The Fact That God Cares About Us
According to Luke 1:56, Mary had spent about three months in the hill country with her cousin Elisabeth and then returned home. It was possibly upon her return that she told Joseph of her expectant condition. Adam Clarke said, “What conversation passed between her and Joseph, on this discovery, we are not informed; but the issue proves that it was not satisfactory to him.” We always think about Mary as the one who pondered things, but here Matthew focuses upon Joseph and how he pondered this problem.
A. There Was A Frustrating Predicament In This Situation
1. We See Joseph And The Distressing Dilemma
(Matthew 1:19-20) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. {20} But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 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.
[Put her away privily] The law of Moses gave the husband the power of divorce, Deuteronomy 24:1. It was customary in a bill of divorce to specify the causes for which the divorce was made, and witnesses were also present to testify to the divorce. But in this case, it seems, Joseph resolved to put her away WITHOUT specifying the cause; for he was not willing to make her a public example. This is the meaning here of “privily.” (From Barnes’ Notes)
thought – Greek 1760. enthumeomai, from a compilation of G1722 and G2372 (suggesting the idea of being fixed on the passion, as if breathing hard, and the fierceness, indignation, and wrath); the word means to be inspirited (that is, to instill courage or life into), to ponder, to think.
2. We See Joseph And The Divine Direction
(Matthew 1:20-21) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 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. {21} And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
B. There Was A Fulfilling Prophecy In This Situation
1. There Was A Connection To The Ancient Word
(Matthew 1:22-23) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, {23} 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.
The prophecy here quoted is recorded in Isaiah 7:14. The prophecy was delivered about 740 years before Christ.
2. There Was A Compliance With The Angelic Word
(Matthew 1:24-25) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: {25} And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
IV. Let’s Consider Mary And How She Meditated At The Manger
(Luke 2:19) – This Leads Us To Consider The Fact That God Comes To U
Mary’s diligence in contemplating the works of God is laid before us for two reasons; first, to inform us, that this treasure was laid up in her heart, for the purpose of being published to others at the proper time; and, secondly, to afford to all the godly an example for imitation. For, if we are wise, it will be the chief employment, and the great object of our life, to consider with attention those works of God which build up our faith. Mary kept all these things. This relates to her memory. (Pondered) signifies to throw together, to collect the several events which agreed in proving the glory of Christ, so that they might form one body. For Mary could not wisely estimate the collective value of all those occurrences, except by comparing them with each other. (John Calvin)
A. Mary Conserved These Events In Her Remembering
(Luke 2:19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
1. She Wanted To Have A Clear Recollection Of These Events
kept – Greek 4933. suntereo; to keep closely together, i.e. (by implication) to conserve (from ruin); mentally to remember (and obey): --keep, observe, preserve.
2. She Wanted To Have A Collective Recollection Of These Events kept all these things
things – means an utterance, a matter, a topic.
B. Mary Considered These Events In Her Reflecting
(Luke 2:19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
1. The Word “Pondered” Indicates That She Kept Coming Back To These Thoughts In An Intense Way
pondered – Greek 4820. sumballo; to combine (to unify one’s thoughts in a rather intense way), consult, dispute, (mentally) to consider. It is also translated as “confer, encounter, help, make, meet with.” She encountered these details of the situations in her life frequently, and met with and conferred with these thoughts.
2. The Word “Pondered” Indicates That She Kept Coming Back To These Thoughts In An Intentional Way
She must have still been thinking about these events on that day when Jesus walked out of the carpenter’s shop and said, “It’s time for me to go.”
… On that day when there was a problem at the wedding.
(John 2:3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
… On that day when her Son was crucified.
(John 19:25-27) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. {26} When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! {27} Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
… On that day when John came back home and said, “He’s alive.”
… On that day when she joined with the other disciples in prayer and supplication.
(Acts 1:14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
V. Let’s Consider Mary And The Marvel Of The Meetings
(Luke 2:22-35; Matthew 2:1-11)
– This Leads Us To Consider The Fact That God Confirms Himself To Us
A. There Was A Meeting With The Man Who Was Waiting Luke 2:22-35
1. The Bible Reveals The Character Of This Man Simeon
(Luke 2:25) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
2. The Bible Reveals The Comments Of This Man Simeon Luke 2:27-35
B. There Was A Meeting With The Magi Who Were Worshipping Matthew 2:1-11
We are also introduced to these wise men. The word “wise” in verse 1 is the Greek term magos, meaning an Oriental scientist or magician. The plural “Magi” is often used to refer to these men who came seeking Jesus.
Christian tradition has elaborated the biblical account; it has set their number as three, perhaps from their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; it has called them kings, perhaps from Psalms 72:10,11 and Isaiah 49:7,23 considered as prophecies; and it has given them names, Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. (historychannel.com)
Although the wise men didn’t find Jesus until some time after his birth, we generally associate them with the Christmas story. And the leading light of the star, the love of the wise men for the child Jesus, and the lavish gifts they gave blend together in Matthew’s record to show the poignancy of this marvelous event. (Mention the later time frame – verse 11 mentions “the house” and “the young child” (paidion); verse 16 mentions “two years old and under.”
1. We Find Their Desire To Worship Jesus
(Matthew 2:1-2) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, {2} Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
2. We Find The Demonstration Of Their Worship Of Jesus
(Matthew 2:11) And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
worshipped – Greek 4352. proskuneo; (means to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
Conclusion:
When I was a senior in high school, I was in a vocational class called Health Occupations II. And in that class, the students had the opportunity to do a clinical rotation where we were exposed to different areas of medicine. My first day in clinical rotation, the other student in my rotation and myself were in Labor and Delivery in the community hospital in my home county. And that day, we had the opportunity to watch a baby being born. We left the hospital that day with a sense of awe and wonder at the miracle of birth. And that was all we talked about for several weeks.
But then four or five years later, I was in the operating room at a hospital in Greenville, SC when another baby was born. The big difference for me this time was that it was my own baby. Seeing a baby being born was amazing, but seeing a baby being born when there was a personal relationship involved literally changed my life from that point on.
I think the same sort of distinction exists in how we think about Christmas and the birth of Christ. When we consider His birth, we realize that it was something amazing. But when we think about Jesus Christ being born in the context of having a personal relationship with Him, we realize that because He was born, our life was changed forever because of it.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?