CHRISTMAS UP CLOSE: Resourced By Heaven
Christmas Up Close
Romantic, sanitary Christmas cards
A closer look, and it’s messier
A close up look is more practical because your life is messy
SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:6–7 (ESV) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Resourced By Heaven
As we see Jesus in the manger we see:
God’s eternal plan unfolding
Less than ideal timing
Roman occupiers imposing their will
Census
Transportation and housing issues
God’s plan for our lives takes place amidst OBSTACLES
Resources will be needed
They are practical
Jesus talked about resources more than any other topic
Resourced With “Left Overs”
Luke 2:6–7 (ESV) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
There is a beauty in these moments
Quiet desperation seeking the bare minimum
No amount of planning could have provided here
There is value in grinding out these situations
The durability built is remarkable
It prepares you for the journey ahead
Resourced By Hard Work
Matthew 13:55 (ESV) Is not this the carpenter’s son?
Mark 6:3 (ESV) Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary…
Tekton - building and construction of items ranging from furniture to municipal buildings and in mediums ranging from wood to stone.
The economy of Rome during the New Testament was strong and their occupation of Israel was in full swing. A skilled tradesman would have been lucratively compensated
In 1st century Jewish culture, fathers taught their sons their trade at by age 12,
This was a hard working family. While he was born in a manger, the family had a home. By the time the Maji arrived to present gift to Jesus, they were no longer staying in a barn as a result of the census, but living in a home -
Matthew 2:11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
While they moved several times, one would assume that home ownership would have continued.
After Joseph passed away, Jesus would have inherited the property and responsibility for the family.
Jesus was likely a homeowner:
Mark 2:1–4 (ESV) And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
Mark 2:13–15 (ESV) He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
Resourced By Earned Favor
Luke 8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Jesus worked hard and had an impact in the lives of those he served.
Good, hard work for others produces a favor.
Resourced By Unexpected Favor
Matthew 2:11 (ESV) …and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Magi (magician) a blurry line between occult experiments and legitimate science
Astrologist, studying the stars and likely the zodiac. After discovering the star identifying the birth of “the King of the Jews,” they left their home to find Him, a journey likely to nearly two years, based on Herod’s resulting decision to kill all male Israeli children two years and younger (Matthew 2:16
Men of means, travelling in a caravan large enough to be noticed by the general population and stir up commoner and politician alike with their mission (Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him)
The Magi came bearing treasures for the King of the Jews. These gifts were appropriate in substance, and no doubt quantity. They included:
gold, the appropriate gift for a King.
frankincense, the gift for Deity.
myrrh, a valued spice, especially for those who suffer