3 often-overlooked realities at the heart of the nativity
OPINION:
The birth of Jesus is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling narratives in human history, weaving together a beautiful tapestry of fascinating figures, themes and prophetic fulfillments.
And as culture tends to focus on the broader, symbolic elements of the nativity story during the Christmas season, it’s quite easy to overlook the captivating lessons embedded in the finer details — the timeless ideals impacting how we should engage with God 2,000 years after Christ’s arrival.
Trust and obedience are truly the heartbeat of the nativity narrative, as Mary and Joseph offer a masterclass in “death to self.” The couple willingly sacrificed their own wants, whims and cares for the sake of a God-ordained plan they could neither adequately grasp nor fully comprehend.
The sheer terror Mary must have felt being unmarried and expectant in a culture that didn’t tolerate such things is difficult for our Western minds to comprehend. And, yet, when the angel Gabriel appeared to inform her of the impending pregnancy, she didn’t protest, lament or complain about the disruption it would cause. She didn’t try to change her circumstances.
Instead, she delivered the most remarkable of replies, stating, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38, NIV).
Meanwhile, Joseph — a man who was almost certainly exposed to intense embarrassment because of Mary’s pregnancy — offers a reminder of unadulterated selflessness, duty and reliance. Though he, at first, planned to quietly divorce Mary to prevent her from public disgrace, the Gospel of Matthew reveals how an angel’s appearance in a dream changed Joseph’s trajectory.
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit,” the angel proclaimed in Matthew 1:20, continuing in verse 21: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Like Mary, Joseph faced a tough choice: Would he follow God and voluntarily endure trials, cultural discomfort, gossi, and other uncertainty — or would he opt to live for himself and flee the perplexing situation before him? The Bible tells us Joseph not only took Mary to be his wife, but he also took great care in protecting the prophesied child.
This level of devotion, selflessness and trust in God’s plan offers a timeless roadmap for our beleaguered culture drowning in the quicksand of self. Contrary to societal beliefs, it’s not always about us. Sometimes, there’s a greater plan that can only be unlocked through trust and obedience.
Another lesson at the core of the nativity story is the perils of human expectation and perception. Many Jews at the time of Christ expected the coming Messiah to be a bold military leader who would free them from Roman oppression, but that’s not the sort of liberation God promised. Instead, Jesus came to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin.
Every part of the nativity story underscores the reality that God doesn’t see people, places and situations through human lenses. While many were expecting a Messiah of ornate and kingly origins, Jesus was born to a random young woman who lived far from any palace. He was placed in a manger after his birth, not in an adorned bassinet.
Every part of Jesus’ meek birth story flies in the face of what many would have expected. Even the announcement of Christ’s birth screams of humility. Rather than first alerting kings, nobles and powerful religious leaders about Jesus’ arrival, angels appeared in Bethlehem to shepherds tending flocks in a nearby field. The greatest news in the history of the world was thus revealed to ordinary men whose job it was to care for animals.
And that reality shouldn’t be lost on us. While humans value appearance, social standing, money and power, God sees the heart. When the angels told the men a “Savior has been born,” they “hurried off” and found Mary, Joseph and the baby in the manger.
These men of humble means were then the first voices to spread the word about Jesus’ arrival, leaving those who heard their stunning pronouncements in total amazement. God often performs his miracles and delivers his most important messages in ways we’d never expect.
And then there’s Simeon and Anna, two individuals often overlooked in the nativity narrative. Luke 2 tells us Mary and Joseph encountered them when the newfound parents presented Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, a tradition of the time.
Simeon was both “righteous and devout” and believed God would let him see the Messiah during his lifetime. Trusting this message, Simeon found himself in the temple courts when Mary and Joseph arrived and immediately knew the promise had come to fruition.
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace,” Simeon said (Luke 2:29-32, NIV). “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
But Anna’s deep faith and reliance is even more compelling, as the elderly woman worshipped in the temple day and night. After approaching Mary, Joseph and Jesus, she thanked God for the Messiah’s arrival — an event she had long awaited.
We don’t know a lot about Simeon and Anna, but we do know this: both were faithful, trusting, and had waited a very long time to see God’s promises come to fruition. It’s easy in life to get discouraged and tired as we wait for the Lord. Yet, Simeon and Anna show the importance of full trust and perseverance, even when it’s unclear if or when God will act.
These accounts should spark in us a reminder: the nativity is a story about ordinary people who endured, experienced and lived through extraordinary things. And the timeless lessons learned along the way hold the power to transform our hearts and lives.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
