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The text is the classic Christmas story—the story of the
birth of Jesus. It is the central passage to which all the Incarnation narratives
either point or from which all flow. It is the entrance of God in the flesh
into our sin-permeated world. No other narrative in the Scriptures conveys
the detail Luke communicates, yet it is strikingly simple.
Caesar Augustus issued an ordinance requiring the entire Roman
world should be accounted for in order to tax the people of the empire. Luke,
an educated doctor, made sure his readers understood the historical context
in which Jesus entered the world. The facts surrounding the birth of Christ
have been debated for centuries, but Luke connects Jesus’ birth to a
definite historical event. The places are authentic. The time is definable.
The facts are clear. Jesus entered the real world of people, places, and cultures.
He came to us.
Again, Luke sets the birth of Christ in the historical context
of the Roman domination of the world. He also identifies the Jewish context
for the birth of Jesus. The Jewish readers would understand the meaning behind
the designation of the lineage and the hometown of Joseph. Connections to
Old Testament passages point to the coming Messiah.
The tensions are clearly in the text. Tension between Rome and
Jerusalem grew in a struggle for power. The Romans conquer the land and expect
civil rest. The Judeans resent being under Roman rule but they have no choice—they
are powerless to stop the legions of Roman soldiers. The timing of this Roman
census is bad, but is not negotiable.
Mary and Joseph also face the tension of the crowded town and
the necessity of a birthing room. The timing of the birth is bad in light
the lack of available rooms. But, as any parent knows, the timing is non-negotiable.
The baby comes when the baby is ready.
This entire event probably did not unfold the way Joseph and
Mary envisioned it. They are not in the meager comforts of their home surrounded
by family and friends. They do not have the room or support they want. However
the timing of the birth takes center stage; there is no stalling the baby.
Yet, the issues of timing point to Mary and Joseph’s complete surrender
and obedience to the will of God.
This passage is preceded by the account of John the Baptist’s
birth and the Benedictus (Zechariah’s song of praise and prophecy).
Luke immediately connects the ministry and calling of John the Baptist with
that of Jesus. John is the forerunner of the Messiah not only in practice,
but also as arranged in the narrative by Luke. Jesus’ birth is followed
by the appearance of the angels to the shepherds. Luke points out the coming
of God in the flesh to the real world in which humanity lives.
As this passage unfolds, the personality of Joseph must be remembered.
We may not truly know his specific personality, but we know what he did by
trade—carpentry. Carpenters must pay attention to detail: measure twice,
cut once. Given the unpredictable circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus,
you have a situation ripe for stress. Yet, Luke does not convey any stress
in this situation. There seems to be a cushion of peace under-girding the
entire narrative. Perhaps Luke intended to express the presence of the God
of Peace who was with Mary and Joseph throughout their role in His story.
Have you ever found yourself saying, “The timing could
not have been worse.”? Or perhaps you’ve exclaimed, “The
timing could not have been better!” When the timing is great we tend
to thank God, count our blessings, and move on with our lives. However, when
the timing is bad we tend to struggle, stall, and even blame God.
Think about some of our reactions to bad timing: Why me, Lord?
Why now? God, do You even care? God, where are You? Do you think Mary and
Joseph struggled with timing? Mary might have felt the timing of Christ’s
birth was bad because her marriage was not yet consummated. How would it look
to her family and friends? The birth of her child would be in occupied territory.
Security issues are involved and the census has totally disrupted all their
plans for the coming baby. She was planning on having this baby in Nazareth
with her family and friends, and then the census interrupts plans and sends
them to another place. They have no choice. The housing situation was inadequate.
Enduring labor pains, Mary listens to Joseph explain they are going to stay
in a cave because there is no room in the hotel.
How often have things happened and we’ve said, “Why
is this happening now? This can’t be God’s timing. I had other
plans and this doesn’t make any sense.” Understanding the ways
in which God moves through time can be troublesome. Trying to make sense of
the situations in life, particularly in regards to the timing, can be a difficult
task.
There are two truths about timing that flow from Scripture.
God’s timing is always perfect—just right. It is always right
on time for our situations. God’s timing is always purposeful—God
has a plan for His timing. He has something He wants to accomplish, and in
His wisdom and power, He makes it happen in the context of time.
Paul talked about the birth of Jesus in Galatians 4:4-5, “But
when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under
law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
Notice the perfection, purpose, redemption, life, and relationship with God.
God’s timing for the Messiah may not fit humanity’s timing, but
God had a plan. His timing was perfect for Jesus’ birth.
Be careful to not fall into the trap of thinking God causes
all events to happen just the way the events unfold. Instead, affirm that
God moves in and out of time to redeem the events that happen in the context
of time, weaving them into a purpose He intends for our good.
Our response is modeled by Mary and Joseph. In this passage,
as well as in the surrounding passages, the trust Mary and Joseph had in God
was nothing short of amazing. As forthright as their trust in God was, it
is also necessary to deal with issues of timing in our lives. We must choose
to trust God. We may think the timing is bad, but we still must make the choice
to trust God. He will move in the arena of time to redeem and bring purpose
to the events.
Another response is found in Paul’s writings to the Ephesians.
He encourages us to make the most of the opportunity. He writes, “Be
very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the
most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be
foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (5:15-17). This
passage clearly applies to the issue of time and adds a fascinating dimension
when viewed in light of the Christmas narrative.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
This passage sets itself up to address the conflicts that arise
in people’s lives as they try to make sense of events over which they
have no control. Christmas time in particular is very busy. Time is always
a precious commodity and the Advent season seems to underscore this fact.
People need to see how God can redeem time, especially when they are confronted
with issues of family, employment, and health.
The subject of timing as viewed through the birth of Christ
gives an opportunity to further develop and explain the Old Testament narratives
pointing to the birth of the Messiah. These narratives also point to the historical
events that set the stage for the birth of Christ. For further thought on
this refer to the full-length sermon. In dealing with time, the listeners
need to understand the difference between kairos and chronos, the two different
understandings of time found in Greek thought. A sermon on timing allows for
such an explanation.