THE DRAMA SURROUNDING HIS BIRTH

By David Pam McQuel

The birth of Christ was one of the extraordinary event to have ever happened on earth. It was also the most intriguing. Its the only event that all the role players didn't know what was going on.

It was not just one lump story, everyone involved struggled in ignorance and didn't just know what to make of it.

Herod's Palace
King Herod Was at the peak of his glory. He was handpicked by Rome. He had powerful alliances. There was no fear of a coup d'etat, monarchical rivalry or of an impending elections. He had money, booze and limitless women of his choice. He had the swimming pools, the cattle ranch and the wildlife reserve.

Then a threat came. Visitors from the East with first of all an ignorable rumour, of a prophesied king. He has never faced a threat in his entire life. He didn't know what to do with this or how to react, until the threat became real.

Then he call in the advisers. "What's this madness I'm hearing? Who is king apart from me? Who is coming for my throne? I need answers and you are the smartest brains in this land. Find me some answers! And NOW!

And when the wisemen from the East outsmarted him, he ordered a genocide of an entire generation of toddlers! What an unthinkable horrendous thing to do.

The Inn
There was mass movement across the land.

Luke 2:2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

As millions of people crisscrossed the land, a young man in his mid twenties along with his teenage sweetheart, who was in late term of pregnancy sweated it out to get to the dusty hills of Bethlehem. Getting there in the evening the small town was bursting to it's seams with travelers visiting their hometown, most of them for the first time.

Mary was so exhausted while Joseph was so sweet with all the much needed compassion.

"Joseph, I'm so exhausted"

"Mary, I know. We just need a place and you'll be resting." Joseph kindly replied holding her fingers affectionately.

They've been to the few guest houses in Bethlehem, everywhere is filled. The innkeepers are smiling from ear to ear. Its a good business season.

Coming to the last guest house, they got the same sad reply, "Everywhere is filled, go to the next one" with an innocent smile. Same old replied. Joseph was getting frustrated.

"Joseph, please let's get a place! My water has broken"

Alarmed, Joseph ran back to the innkeeper, "please can we get a small place? Even a kitchen, a bathroom or a store, our baby is coming!"

Just beside there was a manger with a few horses, hay and dung.

In a few minutes, with a lantern Joseph, Mary and the Innkeeper welcomed the most precious baby ever born. And Joseph lifted him, blessed him and called him Yeshua.

Shepherds Watch at Night
Young shepherds in the field have spent all day long with the sheep. Its cold and as the sat around a bonfire, they shared old and new stories. Reminiscences, nostalgia, ambitions and experiences.

A gentle breeze slipped in, and then within the twinkling of an eye a light brighter than the Eastern moonlight beamed and enveloped them. And in a second they were caught up in heavenly ambience. Love, purity, sanctity and ecstasy wrapped. They were for two minutes caught up in eternity. And the heavenly choir sang the most beautiful melody.

Then the angel broke the most amazing news ever....

Matthew 2:10 "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 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.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 

18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

The Wise men
These were the only non-Jewish key players in the whole events about the Birth of Christ. Not only that, apart from Bible prophecy they were the first to be informed about  His birth ahead. Two years before it happened. A star appeared to them and led them for that whole period of time until they got to the manger where the little kid was.

And they showed how worthy their visit was! They brought him the wealth of the nations. A royal reception.

Matthew 12:10 "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."

Joseph and Mary
Joseph was brought into a melodrama rather surprisingly. He was not informed, given a hint neither was his consent sought for. His godliness, his integrity, his moral aptitude, his messianic ancestry and the mercy of God placed him at the right place at the right time. It is amazing what a man of honour Joseph was. He made a pledge to Mary, and that pledge was the most precious thing. He would never let his disappointment becloud his judgement nor his anger push him to break that pledge.

How I wish that today's young men had such a great resolve!

Matthew1:18 "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 

19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."

And Mary is that only person who was overwhelmed. She had no explanation for all these things. God's power overshadowed her for the rest of her life. Just when she thought she was getting hold of the big picture then things get further complicated. And His horrible death, Mary was just dumbfounded.

Company of Angels
In all of creation, in heaven and on earth, there has never been an expectation compared to that of Christ. And angels have been in the spectators' front row as well as key players. There joy boundless. This was the greatest of God's handiwork.

The salvation project.

From the Priesthood
Matthew 2:4 "When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Its been four hundred years since Malachi the prophet spoke for the Lord. God kept mute and Israel slid into redundancy. The priesthood has been changed into a Pharisees/Sadducees rival empire as they by tradition took the conscience of the nation captive.

And Caiaphas was bewildered. "What do they mean a king is born?"

Looking as the pros and cons, he would rather not offend Herod or Caesar. From then on, it was a struggle to catch with God's plans as they struggled to overturn God's destiny.