Christmas, Pt. 3: "The True Blessings of Christmas"

THE TRUE BLESSINGS OF CHRISTMAS (LUKE 1:26-45)
There is supposedly a blessing for everything in Judaism, from food to drink, from people to nature, from illness to danger.

If you have seen Fiddler on the Roof, you may remember that the rabbi of the tiny Jewish community in Russia was asked by a student concerning a blessing for the Tsar of Russia. With the song “Tradition” playing in the background, the student came up to the rabbi, the town’s most important person, and asked him how to pray for the powerful Tsar: “Rabbi, Rabbi, may I ask you a question?” “Of course,” the rabbi replied. “Is there a proper blessing for the Tsar?” The Rabbi said, “Blessing for the Tsar? Of course. May God bless and keep the Tsar…far away from us!”

Around Christmas time, most people, especially kids, ask themselves if they’ve been naughty or nice, bad or good, crying or not.

Christmas, however, is never a difficult or depressing experience. It is first and foremost a blessed experience. The word “blessing” does not quite fit the theme of Christmas. Traditionally, we greet each other at this time of the year “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” Christmas is anything but a blessing now; it is a burden or a break, for revelry, recreation or reunion time.

Why is Christmas a blessing to the world and a blessed time of the year? How are we blessed? What do we have to do to receive and experience this blessing?

Count Your Blessing from the Lord
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:26-29)

A Persian fable says: “One day a wanderer found a pale-looking but sweet-scented lump of clay. Curious at the lump of clay’s fragrant smell, the wanderer asked the clay, “What are you? Are you a beautiful gem?” The clay said, “No, I am not.” “Are you a rare plant?” the wanderer again questioned. The clay again answered, “No, I am not that either.” The wanderer next queried, “Then you must be a costly merchandise?” The clay retorted, “No, I am just a lump of clay.” The frustrated wanderer then asked, “Then, how did you smell so good?” The lump of clay finally confessed, “I smell good because I have been dwelling with the rose.” (7,700 Illustrations # 7143)

Recorded in the KJV but not NIV is the additional but helpful clause in verse 28, repeated in verse 42: “Blessed art thou among women.” The Greek word “eulogeo” (v 28) to describe Mary’s blessing is an unusual greeting, whether used for men or women, the dead or the living. The English equivalent is “eulogy,” a part of a funeral program. To eulogize someone is not merely to talk generally about the person but to speak highly of the person, or “good words” literally, especially at the person’s funeral! Unlike its English usage, the Greek word is a dynamic and living word, not a dead word and a belated honor for the deceased.

Christmas is the best of times despite the worst of times. Soon to be rocked by scandal, reviled by society and rife with questions, Mary understandably was “greatly troubled” (v 29) - shocked, stunned and shaken. The angel’s presence, ironically, did not ease her mind or help things out; it was enough to stress her out. Already an angel’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth’s family, specifically to the husband Zechariah, six months ago (Luke 1:24-26) was the talk of the town, a tall tale at best, a terror even to skeptics. Zechariah was silent and unable to speak (Luke 1:20), remaining speechless since until who knows when.

Christmas is, in fact, the occasion of three “troubles.” The first “trouble” describes how Zechariah was “startled/troubled” and was gripped with fear by an angel’s appearance (Luke 1:12). The last “trouble” sent shock waves, stirred a city, spawned much discontent and stimulated for change, recounting how King Herod, along with all Jerusalem, was “disturbed” by the magi’s news (Matt 2:3).

Sandwiched between two “troubles” is the mother of them all. Half a year after Zechariah’s trouble, Mary was “greatly troubled” (v 29) by an angel’s appearance and announcement. This Greek word (dia-tarasso) makes its first and only occurrence in the Bible, meaning “thorough/throughout” (dia-) and verse 11’s “troubled” (tarasso). Zechariah was troubled (tarasso) (Matt 2:3), but Mary was greatly troubled” (dia-tarasso). No one could imagine the tension, her turmoil and test.

One can imagine the “great trouble” and thorough impact of the angel’s sudden appearance had on the young, unmarried woman, especially if relative Zechariah had felt the same and ended up mute (Luke 1:12). It was an uninvited déjà vu moment and an unwanted “oh-oh” and “oh-no” experience. Only when she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth (Luke 1:40) did she receive confirmation that she was blessed and not troubled (v 29) by her baby’s arrival.

You won’t find words like “devoted,” “godly,” or “beautiful” to describe Mary. She wasn’t perfect. She was not the fairest of them all, nor the wisest, or the sweetest. But Mary received the fairest, wisest, and sweetest honor, which is a woman who was blessed by God with God’s favor.

Christ is the Fount of Blessing (Cast All Cares to the Lord)
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:39-44)

David Livingstone, the famous 19th century British doctor, missionary and explorer who had practically gave his heart to Africa, lived his life there, and served the natives, once replied those who glorified his sacrifice and contribution to Africa: “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending my life in Africa which is simply acknowledging a great debt I owe to our God, which we can never repay. Is that sacrifice which brings its owner reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny? It is emphatically no sacrifice. Rather, it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, danger, foregoing the common conveniences of this life – these may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let his only be for a moment. All these are nothing compared with the glory which shall later be revealed in and through us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give himself for us.”

Luke’s account differs from Matthew’s account in that Matthew records an angel’s appearance to Joseph, not Mary. Readers of Luke’s gospel are given the scoop that God sent the angel Gabriel (v 26). Gabriel’s assurance to Mary did nothing to convince her to run to the arms of Joseph. Note that Mary did not run to Joseph first, to avoid piling unwanted pressure on him, creating more tension and further alienating Joseph. Also, Mary did not know that Joseph had a vision, albeit much later (Matt 1:20), but the unknown timeline makes the story more dramatic. All kinds of thoughts raced through her mind as she sought her cousin. How am I going to tell Joseph? How will I face my family? How am I going to raise the child by myself? So Elizabeth’s words eased her mind and kept her sane: “Blessed is the child you will bear!”

Already thoughts seized young Mary’s frightened mind (v 29), which the angel tried to calm. Will my child face discrimination? Will he be a freak of nature? Is the world a safe place? Am I good enough to raise him? Would she risk raising a child out of wedlock? Will the child be fatherless? Will he ask about the child’s father? Note Gabriel did not promise her God will work on Joseph, convince her groom and make things right. He did not say “I promise,” “No problem” or “Trust me.” His only calm assurance was the mention of her cousin, not her husband.

Mary knew she could be the biggest fool and the worst example. She did not know how the child would respond to curious seekers. Elizabeth assured her that mother and child were not cursed or doomed, but were both blessed. She was blessed without condition, not because she believed, but because he was the blessing.

Are you carrying a heavy burden today? Is a cloud of darkness boxing you in?
Cast all your anxiety on the Lord because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Consider Yourself a Channel of Blessing (Choose to Live for the Lord)
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)

45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" 46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, (Luke 1:45-48)

A hardworking little boy by the name of Theocrite sang the words “Praise God” like no one else. His praises not only kept him in good spirits, but it also brought joy to others, and praise from God. One day, a monk passing by heard him, and suggested: “I am sure God has heard you, but what if you were the Pope of Rome, singing God’s praises in St. Peters Church at Easter time in Rome?”

Theocrite thought that would be a tremendous achievement if he had the opportunity to do so. So the angel Gabriel who heard him, granted it, and he became the next Pope of Rome. Immediately God said, “How is it I do not hear the voice of Theocrite singing at his work?”

The angel, knowing this, became a boy and took Theocrite’s place, but he could do everything except one thing – sing praises to God. God said wistfully, “I hear a voice of praise, but not the way Theocrite sang it. I miss my little human praise.”

The angel then took off his disguise, went to Rome, found Theocrite, the new Pope of Rome, and said to him: “I took you from your work and made you the Pope of Rome, but I was mistaken. You could be a great Pope, but no one could fill your shoes, match your spirit, and take your voice of praise. (The Moral Compass 717-78, William J. Bennett)

The climax of Luke’s account is not the proclamation of Gabriel or the promise of Jesus but the praise of Mary, especially the blessedness of Mary coming from her mouth (v 48). Her head comprehended it, her body conceived it, but her heart must confess it! A conversion and a conviction must happen, and not just a command or commission taking place.

Note that Mary had no choice previously. The angel did not ask her before conception if she was willing to be the mother of Jesus. The first announcement was, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” (vv 30-31). She was speechless until the angel’s second speech, for a reason. Also, Gabriel did not ask for her opinion, her endorsement and her consent. Presently, however, she had a choice on how to live her life - in fear or in faith, believing or begrudging, trust or distrust, hope or hopelessness, joy or judgment.

God had blessed Mary, a Jewish commoner from Nazareth, to be the mother of the Lord (Lk 1:43). Mary knew that she was not necessarily the most qualified, the most resourceful, and the most deserving. The only unique reason why God chose her was that she was a descendant of David.

Before, Mary did not have to say yes and sign off to be a mother. Yet Mary now was more than the bearer and mother (Luke 2:34); she was a servant (v 38), a believer and a leader (Acts 1:14). Mary’s response was short but decisive. She answered the angel Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” (Lk 1:38) Her life presently was one of confidence in God, cooperation with Him and commitment to Him, as she joyously recounted, testified and agreed later: “From now on all generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48)

Conclusion: Have you missed out on the blessing of Christmas? Do you know the true blessing of Christmas? Have you experienced the blessedness of Christmas that comes from knowing Jesus Christ our Lord, from obeying Him, praising Him?