In a nation where Pew Research says 92 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas, it is amazing that a misguided drive called political correctness continues to feed the “Christmas wars.”
Some businesses seem to go out of their way to avoid taking note of Jesus’ birth. Other companies wish shoppers “Happy Holidays.” Political correctness says this expresses sensitivity to those who observe other holidays during this time of the year — Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the like.
Not considered is the “slap-in-the-face” attitude conveyed to the 9 out of 10 Americans who honor Christmas as one of the most sacred religious events of the year. When businesses and others deliberately disregard the significance of the season to the great majority of Americans, it is no wonder people push against so-called
political correctness.
Unfortunately today’s Christmas wars are not new. Even on that first Christmas there were those who went out of their way to keep from taking note of Jesus’ birth.
Simple faith
The Gospel of Luke tells of shepherds working through the night protecting the flocks from thieves and predators. Seemingly out of nowhere an angel appears and declared the long prayed for Messiah had been born that very night. The angel called it good news and said the child’s birth would bring joy to all people.
It is hard to know if the shepherds were more startled by the appearance of the angel or the announcement that the Promised One was born in a stable and could be found lying in a feeding trough. Where was the pomp and circumstance due the King of kings and Lord of lords, they must have thought.
Simple faith was the response of the shepherds. They said, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened” (Luke 2:15). There was nothing about “let’s see if it is true or not.” From the first, they believed.
The Gospel of Luke says after seeing the baby in the manger the shepherds “spread the word about what they had been told about this child.” But their reports did not generate belief. Rather those who heard the shepherds reacted skeptically. Those who heard the shepherds did not go to the stable to see baby Jesus. Instead, Luke writes they were amazed at the fantastic tale the shepherds told.
Those who heard the shepherds went out of their way to avoid taking note of Jesus’ birth.
Forty days later Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated to the Lord. Just as the family entered the temple grounds Luke writes that Simeon, probably a temple priest, was moved by the Holy Spirit to meet them.
Simeon’s age is not given but Luke does say that Simeon had received a promise he would not die before seeing the “consolation of Israel,” the promised Messiah.
When Simeon saw Jesus he took the baby in his arms, probably performing the priest’s role in consecration, and recognized the child as the promised Messiah. He declared, “My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:30–31).
Anna, an 84-year-old prophetess who lived at the temple, evidently overheard Simeon’s declaration and began giving thanks to God for the birth of Jesus.
Telling others
In Luke 2:38 the writer says Anna “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” One can only imagine what Simeon said to those at the temple about how God had allowed him to see the promised Messiah.
But there is no indication that those who heard the reports of Simeon or Anna took note of Jesus’ birth. Instead, Luke writes that after completing the requirements of the law, Joseph and Mary went home.
One would expect the priests, the pious Jews who frequented the temple, even the nationalistic zealots at least to have explored the far-flung
implications about what Simeon and Anna said; but no, there is nothing to indicate they took note of Jesus’ birth.
At some point the Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem. Because they sought the newborn King of the Jews they went to Herod, king of the Jews for the past 35 years, to inquire of the baby’s location. The Gospel of Matthew describes Herod’s cunning. All the chief priests and all the scribes were brought before him to determine the birthplace of the Promised Messiah.
The answer was immediate. Bethlehem.
Herod conveyed this information to the Magi and sent them on their way. Amazingly the Magi went alone. No one from Herod’s court accompanied them, not even to see this newborn king whom they feared might some day be a rival for Herod’s throne.
None of the priests or scribes went with the Magi. These religious leaders had heard the Magi’s announcement and even told Herod where the new king could be found. But none went to Bethlehem to find the child and see the fulfillment of Israel’s deepest longing.
Not even Jerusalem’s curious accompanied them. The Magi’s arrival must have caused a stir in the city — nobility from afar come to Jerusalem. Their claim about the birth of the King of the Jews must have been the talk of the town. But evidently not even the nosy and prying cared enough to travel the seven miles to Bethlehem to take note of Jesus’ birth.
That first Christmas, God revealed the true nature of the baby Jesus to male and female, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, simple and profound. Some believed and, like the Magi, worshipped Him. But the majority — those who heard the shepherds on the hillsides, listened to Simeon and Anna in the temple or talked along the streets about the claim of the Magi — took no note of Jesus’ birth.
Yet, Jesus is the “Word made flesh” who dwelt among us (John 1). Jesus is the One who paid the price for human sin (Rom. 3:23). Jesus is the One at the right hand of the Father making intercession for believers (Rom. 8:34). Jesus is the One who will come again in power and judgment (Acts 1:11).
And only in the name of Jesus is salvation found (Acts 4:12).
That is why it is important to take note of Jesus’ birth and believe in Him like the shepherds, like Simeon and Anna and like the Magi.
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