The Gospels tell us that Jesus came into a world of military dictatorship and genocide. The Word became flesh, God became man, when Caesar Augustus decreed that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world for purposes of military conscription and taxation. Joseph and Mary were compelled to go to Bethlehem from Nazareth to register. (Luke 2:1-3) When Jesus was born King Herod, informed by the Magi that a king of the Jews was born, was furious and gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and younger. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15, “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more.” (Matt.2:16-18) Warned by an angel in a dream Joseph took Mary and Jesus and escaped to Egypt as refugees from the violence of Herod. (Matt.2:13-15)

Has anything changed in the world in which we live today? We are afflicted by dictators, violence, refugees, decrees by authoritarian administrations, homelessness, cancer, disease, infanticide and immoral pagan cultures. Yet into this world of ours which is filled with suffering, the Savior is born, Christ the Lord. The culture of the first century was not hospitable and welcoming to the Son of God and the Gospel of his kingdom. Nor is it today. We suffer from all the maladies of the modern materialistic world. Despite a veneer of Christianity we complain of all our ills. No amount of medical expertise, health advice, fitness centers, supermarkets filled with every kind of products, financial security, sycophantic pundits and politicians, entertainment, social media, cruises, travel, education, and others opportunities for enjoyment we experience loneliness, pain, anxiety, depression, anger, frustration, disappointment, marriage and family issues, fear and other negative emotions. We become self-centered and self-absorbed. We worship our own idols. Our priorities become disordered. Our comfort and convenience take precedence over everything else. We are dictated by our selfish desires.

Jesus came to deliver us, to save us, from ourselves, our sins, our failures. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him should find eternal life.” (John 3:16) He came to comfort us and to give us rest from all our heavy burdens. (Matt.11:28-30) He came to give us peace: the peace that passes understanding to those on whom his favor rests. How does he do that? He gives healing, encouragement, hope, strength and all the benefits of salvation to those who trust in him, follow him, surrender to his leadership and put first his kingdom, his will, his purpose in their lives.

There is a cost to following Jesus. It is the way of sacrifice and service. It involves suffering at times. It needs self-control, the strength to say no to worldly pressure and seductive feelings. It requires perseverance and courage. It is the way of love and commitment. It is the Way shown to us by Joseph and Mary that first Christmas. It is the result of the gift of grace, the greatest gift of all that we can receive this Christmas. It takes humility to receive this gift with gratitude, confessing our sins, leaving behind our guilt and looking forward to the things God has prepared for us in our resurrection to eternal life. Come, Lord Jesus.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tiding tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

(Phillips Brooks)