How do traditions get started?
Cut end off the ham to cook.
Typically we enjoyed an event or an
experience and want to duplicate it. We were inspired or had an awe-moment and found
something significant about it. We wanted to commemorate it and recapture the
moment. Thus creating a tradition.
Sometimes, when it comes to things we believe, often much is tied to traditions—Why?
Because when the Bible is silent people tend to make up stuff. Then that made
up stuff becomes traditions that take on a life of their own.
Even many of the things we believe about
the Christmas story are based on tradition.
Why do we have Christmas trees in our
houses?
Why do we hang
lights?
Why
do we exchange gifts?
Why
do we drink wassail?
The nativity scene is a blending of
history and tradition. We have the characters in the story but all of them
being there at the same time isn’t quite Biblical since the Magi came about two
years later.
Also the design of the stable.
We know Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but
no one, at the time of His birth, made note of the place or the day. Why would
they? It was just another little Jewish boy being born. But tradition needed
something to commemorate. A place was designated 150 years later and a date was
chosen some 200 years after that.
But there is a much more realistic and
Biblical story that gives better understanding.
What if…
·
Bethlehem was overcrowded since all the world was
going to their hometowns to be taxed?
·
On the way into town someone told Joseph there
were no rooms available?
·
Mary said: Joseph the baby is coming?
·
And along the road was a building called the
tower of the flock where shepherds stood watch from the upper level and the
lower level was a birthing stable for sacrificial lambs?
·
Within that lower level, specially designated
shepherds gave specific care to the new lambs to keep them unblemished by
wrapping them in swaddling cloths and laying them in a manger?
·
It was the job of those shepherds to certify
lambs acceptable for Temple sacrifice?
·
Mary and Joseph went into that lower birthing
area and had baby Jesus in a stall then wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and
laid Him in a manger?
·
When the angels told the shepherds what to look
for they knew exactly where to go to find Him?
·
Jesus, as the lamb of God, was to be born in a
stable where other sacrificial lambs were born and certified by the same
shepherds who certified they were acceptable for Temple sacrifice?
Migdal Eder— the “tower of the flock”—was first mentioned
in Genesis 35. So Rachel died and was
buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set up a pillar
over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. Then Israel
journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. (vv. 19–21).
About a thousand years after Rachel’s death the prophet
Micah told us where the Messiah would be born. (Mic. 5:2), But
as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too
little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be
ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."
But Micah also told us where God would establish the
return of His kingdom. And as for you,
tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come—even the
former dominion will come, the kingdom of the child of Jerusalem. (Mic.
4:8).
The tower of the flock was an agricultural fort where the
shepherds would watch over their flock from the second story and where the
newborn lambs were birthed in the lower portion.
In a collection of Jewish teachings known as the Mishnah,
the flocks kept at Migdal Eder were destined for temple sacrifice. Bethlehem is
only 6 miles from Jerusalem. The shepherds keeping watch over these sheep knew
the purpose for the lambs under their care. And their job was to keep the
animals unblemished and uninjured, to make sure they were a perfect sacrifice
for God.
Now set our story in right here: Luke 2:1-20
These weren’t ordinary, everyday, run of the mill
shepherds. They were designated shepherds, made special by their selection by
the High Priest to certify lambs acceptable for sacrifice.
The same wrappings that protected the
lambs from injury were now used to wrap the Lamb of God. The same shepherds
that designated a lamb certified for sacrifice declared Jesus was the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
It is another glimpse God gave of why
Jesus came. He came to die. And by God’s timing, He would die during Passover
as the perfect sacrifice for all mankind.
What if Mary called Jesus her little lamb
from God?
John the Baptizer said: Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the
sin of the world. (Jn 1:29)
Peter said our salvation was brought about
by the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Pet 1:19)
Paul said, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. (1 Cor 5:7)
Where does joy come in?
And
Jahaziel said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and
King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed
because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and
see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf. Do not fear or be dismayed;
tomorrow go out to face this enemy, for the LORD is with you…Every man of Judah
and Jerusalem returned with Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem
with joy, for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. (2 Chron 20:15,
17, 27)
Where does joy come from? From realizing
God has shown up.
·
Joy to announce
·
Joy to hear
·
Joy to see
·
Joy to know
·
Joy to believe
And though you have not seen Him, you love
Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice
with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (1 Pet 1:8)
These
things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (Jn 15:11)
Yet some still sit around like this:
TAKEAWAYS
1.
Joy is an abiding confidence that God has shown
up.
2.
When we acknowledge He is here, we rediscover the
joy.
3.
If you lack joy, you lack that sense of His
presence.
4.
Believe and you will know He is there.
