(Read Matthew 2)
Last weekend, we packed up our grandkids and headed to a local rescue zoo. It was a chilly but crisp and clear night, with Christmas lights blinking everywhere. My wife had read that the zoo was in its second year of illuminating the entire facility. We knew it would be something that all of us would thoroughly enjoy.
We have been to the Aloha Zoo in Cameron, NC, several times before, but not at night, not under the lights. It’s funny how Christmas has the potential to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. For our grandchildren, the magic was palpable. Having Santa and baby Kangaroos posing for pictures didn’t hurt. Sparkling colors lit up the ebony sky in every direction. There were outlines of animals, streams of headlights bathing the horizon, and even the animals seemed to be on parade this incredible evening.
Since recovering from a nasty winter cold, I was relegated to drive separately through the complex. After the first bend in the gravel road, I saw a purple banner with spotlights shining on it. I didn’t know about this treat. After this first one, I could have driven home, and the entrance fees would have been worth it. Never before would I have expected something so meaningful, so important, and so true in a secular setting.
In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for [a]all the people. For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah). And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12
Shepherds were the lowest of the low in 1st century Judea. They worked seven days a week and were never in the temple. Their word was meaningless, and their testimony wasn’t deemed reliable to testify in court. They were literally and figuratively unclean. So, isn’t it cool that God sent an angel to tell the shepherds first, about the world’s most significant event to unfold? God could have sent messengers to royal families, religious leaders, or well-connected dignitaries. Instead, he revealed the spectacle of the birth of the world’s Messiah to the dudes who spent nights outside with stinky animals. Is there more glory when a celebrity witnesses greatness or when a nobody does?
On this particular night, the shepherds watched Passover lambs, which would be sacrificed later that year. How ironic is that! God’s choice of the shepherds was a symbolic message that the Savior for humanity is not for an exclusive crowd but for all. I have often wondered who else saw the glory of God that epic night. The religious in-crowd might have been seeking the light, but the shepherds certainly weren’t. Was it only the shepherds who saw the light, or was it only the people God shined favor upon who could see it?
Imagine the intensity they were feeling! With hearts pounding against their ribs, the shepherds’ eyes popped open in the starlit night when the darkness was fractured by the light that defied all descriptions. The radiance of the Lord, as intense as a million suns, enveloped them and left them breathless. In that brilliance, they found themselves face-to-face with the Divine.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’”
Matthew 2:1-2:
If you read this passage thoroughly, you’ll notice the magi didn’t ask if He was born; they asked where is the one who HAS BEEN BORN. The wise men were not Jewish, but still they traveled hundreds, maybe thousands of miles, to witness the ancient promise of a savior for Israel had been fulfilled.
There has been plenty of debate about the timing of the appearance of the wise men from the East. Many believe the magi arrived months, even years, after Jesus’ birth. Scholars consider factors like travel time and Herod’s age at his death (around 4 BC). What matters most is that the magi were overjoyed when they finally found Jesus. They fell down, worshiped him, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:10
These illuminated banners peppered the entire path through the zoo. For what seemed like miles, there was one Biblical scripture verse after another. Unlike some who reference the Bible, the way some entertainers in their fancy cars adorn 6-inch gold crosses on their necks, these passages weren’t for show; they were woven together to present the story of Christ’s birth. Nothing was random in the telling; each piece was momentous in painting the experience.
It was probably better that I was alone while driving through the Aloha Zoo’s “Christmas Wonderland of Lights.” Bathed by over 2 million lights, I shouted, “This is so cool! I can’t believe it. Now, this is a tribute to Christ’s birth!” What does this look like down the road to other neighborhoods, I thought. If only the outside world could see the light the way we see it.
17th-18th Century British Bible Scholar and Pastor Matthew Henry noted that the shepherds were the first to notice Christ after his birth. They saw and heard glorious things concerning Him and made them known. But after that, he wrote, “No further notice was taken of him till these wise men came. Note, nothing will awaken those that are resolved to be regardless. Oh the amazing stupidity of these Jews! And no less that of many who are called Christians! Observe!”
Two days after we visited the “Wonderland of Lights,” I called the zoo. I had to find out their story! As it turns out, they own another zoo in North Carolina and have been lighting up the night sky there for 12 years. “This is only our second year of lights here,” said the spokesperson. I raved and raved about the zoo at night with her. I went on about the lights, the lit crosses, the layout, and mostly the illuminated Scriptures. “Yes, the owner is a strong believer, and he feels it’s important to share the word with the whole world. He’s very outspoken about his faith.”
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
Announcing the birth of a child signifies a human event, and the giving of a son glorifies a divine event. This dual nature of Isaiah’s prophecy reflects the fully divine and fully human character of Jesus. Shining brightly 2,000 years ago and today, Jesus’ glory points us to His extraordinary wisdom, guidance, divine nature and power, eternal and nurturing love, and reconciliation for His people.
The magi studied and believed in the Jewish Scriptures, although the last thing they expected to find was a king in a manger. God led them to Jesus anyway. God often uses unexpected means to lead us to Jesus. No matter our struggles, we should never give up hope. No matter how difficult things may seem, God is always with us. He will always lead us to where we need to be — with Jesus. No matter how great our gifts are, nothing compares to the greatest gift we could ever receive. Jesus is the hope of the world. Let the rest of the world see the same light you see from God.
Christmas gives us a season to worship a newborn king. A symbol of hope so profound, so pure, that it pierced the veil of darkness and ignited a flame of faith in the hearts of all who beheld it. The light is there for the world to see.
Merry Christmas!
Key Applications:
- Just like the magi followed the star, we cultivate an attitude of openness to God’s guidance in our lives. This might involve paying attention to God’s nudges, unexpected encounters, or other Godwinks that point us toward the right path.
- Seek meaning in everyday moments: The “star” for us might not be a literal celestial body but subtle signs like answered prayers, a new direction, or a chance encounter with someone who needs you. By actively seeking more meaning in our daily lives, we become more receptive to God’s guidance.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.