Introduction
Something happened to Christmas! From the time it actually happened to our time today, Christmas evolved into something it was not meant to be – just an ordinary day to have parties and give gifts to each other. From being extraordinary to being ordinary, it has lost its surprise power. When the news – the good news – started spreading out, it generated quite a surprise. People were amazed when they heard about it. They couldn’t believe it. But it was the truth, and that’s how, for those who believed it, their lives were transformed.
In some parts of the world, Christmas is no longer special. They just call it “the holiday season”. In fact, for some people, New Year is far more exciting. They are looking forward to celebrating it. But not so much about Christmas. Christmas has lost its surprise power for a lot of people, even for Christians.
What about you? Are you still surprised about Christmas? The irony here is that it is in the ordinary aspects of Christmas that the surprising power of the good news can actually be heard. Luke 2:1-20 talks about how ordinary this extraordinary event happened 2,000 years ago.
Three Ordinary Aspects About Christmas
1. The first recipients of the good news were ordinary (vv.8-9, 13-14).
The first group of people who heard about the good news were shepherds. They are what we might call today “laborers”, “sales clerks”, or “vendors”. They were just ordinary people. Prior to hearing the good news, they were just minding their business, i.e., taking care of their flocks (v.8). They were so ordinary that, when an angel suddenly appeared, they became terrified (v.9). They were not used to extraordinary events. Once you ponder on these things, it would become even more surprising. Why choose ordinary people to be the first recipients of this extraordinary news? Surely, it deserves a far wider media coverage featuring perhaps the rich and famous of that time. But this is God’s way. He chose the ordinary, the weak, the unimportant, to shame the wise and powerful. God chose you and me to hear the good news about Jesus. Many have heard but have not understood. But to us the angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (vv.13-14)
2. The circumstances of the good news were ordinary (vv.1-7, 10-12, 15-16).
Even though the conception of Jesus was miraculous, the events surrounding his birth were quite ordinary. Verses 1 to 7 tells us that the circumstances of his birth were not that extravagant. Verse 7 simply says, “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” And yet, it is in this ordinary setting that the extraordinary event happened. The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (vv.10-12) Later, in verse 15, it says, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” Finally, in verse 16, it says, “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” It was in the ordinary circumstances that God chose to bring about the extraordinary event of Jesus’ birth. Even today, the good news is quite simple and straightforward. Its simplicity sometimes causes people to reject it. But, to those who believe, the simple good news is what changed their lives.
3. The sharing of the good news was ordinary (vv.17-20).
The angel did not tell the shepherds to go and look for Jesus. He just told them the good news! But when they heard this amazing news, they went to Bethlehem to find out if it was true. Verse 17 and 18 says, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” They just shared the good news about Jesus. It’s not even about the angels that they saw! Even Mary was inspired to ponder these things in her hearts (v.19). Verse 20 says, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” It was the simple message about Jesus that they shared everywhere, not their experience of the supernatural. The angels were no longer there to back up their message. The way they shared was ordinary. How God worked through their sharing was extraordinary. Today, simply sharing the good news is what will bring about changed lives.
Conclusion
“The surprising power of Christmas is in the ordinary.” The word “Christmas” comes from “Christ’s Mass”, a worship service dedicated to celebrate the birth of Christ. Interestingly, the word “Mass” comes from a Latin word (“Missa”) which actually means “Go, you are sent!” This means ordinary people were being sent out to simply share the good news about Jesus wherever they go. Today, the same simple message needs to be heard again.
Discussion
1. Do you agree that Christmas has lost its surprise power for many people, including Christians? Why or why not?
2. How does it make you feel to know that as an ordinary person God has chosen you to hear and believe the good news?
3. What was your initial response when you heard the simple message of the good news about Jesus?
4. Why do some people reject the simple message about Jesus today?
5. Why is simply sharing the good news personally such a powerful way for evangelism today?