Every year, my favorite movie is “The Nativity Story.” It is a beautiful rendition of the Biblical account of Jesus’s birth. This year, however, the hardships Mary and Joseph faced captured my attention. Why did the angel inform Mary of God’s plan, but Joseph was not informed until Mary’s pregnancy was evident? Why did God not send them to Bethlehem before her labor was imminent? Why did God not prepare a lavish palace and usher Mary and Joseph into the kingdom’s favor before Christ’s birth? In other words, why did God not make things easier for Mary and for Jesus?
This line of thinking, of course, leads to more questions. Why does God not openly show Himself today? If Jesus had stormed the Roman Palace and declared Himself King, annihilating the Roman army with a Word, all the world would have been forced to believe in Him. And yet, Jesus became a helpless infant of lowly parentage. Though He fulfilled the specific prophecies of Old Testament Scriptures, those who had memorized the entirety of the Torah did not recognize Him. Why did God shroud Himself in unexpected mystery?
The answer is found at the heart of this series we started so long ago. Before there was a Gospel to preach or even the Mosaic Law to follow, God made a covenant with Abraham, stating that in him “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Over four hundred years later, the Law was given to Moses. Still, Deuteronomy 28:15 promised God’s curse on everyone who did not keep all His commandments and statutes.
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Even the most dutiful Jew required daily sacrifices for sin. Blood had to be shed to stay ahead of the curse that lawbreakers deserved. How could anyone receive the blessings that Abraham was promised, then?
The Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, summarized what God desired more than the Law-keepers’ sacrifices in Habakkuk 2:4.
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Faith was everything God wanted from the beginning. And faith is impossible if there is no mystery. If you can see it, and touch it, and have no doubts, then there is no need for faith. It is why so many try to hammer out their own way to Heaven still today. They want something that they can see, touch, and feel secure in.
In the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ birth, Mary chose to believe God within the shrouded mystery of His plan. Before Mary knew how Joseph would react, how her family and friends might shame her, or how the story would unfold, Mary believed God.
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45
And yet, God did not require a blind faith from Mary. From this passage, Luke writes that Elisabeth confirmed God’s plan before Mary told her what had happened. Later, when Joseph planned to quietly put her away instead of marrying her, an angel came to him to confirm what Mary had told him. At the manger, the shepherds reported what the angel had told them.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:8-19
Hebrews 11:6 promises that those who believe in God will be rewarded.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Mary was rewarded by seeing God work again and again, confirming His promises before her eyes. She was also the first person whom Jesus chose to live inside. The humbleness of His first residence assures us today that no person is too lowly for Him to choose to live within today. Mary’s beautiful faith ushered in the shrouded mystery of God’s plan that we still celebrate every Christmas. If you are still trying to secure your way to heaven in any way other than by faith in Jesus alone, know that this has never been God’s plan. The just shall live by faith. There is no other way.
Included below is the poem I wrote for my Christmas cards this year. It reflects all the pondering this advent stirred up with its questions. I pray that if you have not yet invited Christ to live in your heart, today might be the day. He will make your heart His home at your invitation. And for eternity, His Home will receive your heart.
Your Heart, My Home. My Home, Your Heart
He never came for palaces of gold.
He did not come so He could grow old.
Like the bare stable so long ago
Our humble hearts, He welcomes as home.
We, who are lowly, He lifts from the earth.
We, who live dying, experience new birth.
His Christmas Present, He still offers today.
Come all who are weary in My Home to stay.
I pray that your Christmas is filled with the Presence and the Present of Jesus Himself. Have a blessed Advent, my friends!
His Song in the Night 