TROUBLED OR THRILLED AT HIS COMING ?

I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home, so everything about Christmas was positively joyful. We all looked forward to the Christmas season, and relished the preparation and celebration of the event of the birth of Jesus Christ. In my childish mind, I thought everybody loved Christmas, even if they didn't know Jesus personally, they seemed to enjoy the history, pagentry and music. We all sang carols and even had annual Christmas programs in the public school I attended. Life seemed so carefree and simple back then. Then a determined atheist came along (Madalyn Murray O'Hair), the Supreme Court rulings that outlawed prayer and Bible reading in public schools, a steady decline in morality and rise in rebellion toward authority, and a relentless march toward a secular, politically correct society that loathes the innocuous greeting, “Merry Christmas”.

Now that I have the perspective of living more than a half-century, I realize that the world has never been a friend to God, grace or Christmas. Consider the words written 2000 years ago, recorded in Matthew 2:3, “When Herod the king heard this (the news that the King of the Jews, Jesus, had been born), he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Frankly, many were Troubled at His coming...

  • Politicians were troubled- Herod, the king was troubled to hear that a new King of the Jews had been born. He thought, “Wait a minute, I'm the king of the Jews. Who is this?” He took it as a threat to his power and prestige. Today, 2000 years later, rulers and leaders are still threatened by King Jesus, and irritated that He would garner more allegiance than they.


  • People were troubled- The Bible says,...”all Jerusalem” was troubled along with Herod. Generally speaking, most of the people of the world still do not want Jesus to be the King of their life. Many would rather give credit to Santa Claus than Jesus. They would be content to say, “Happy Holidays”, rather than “Merry Christmas”.


  • Priests were troubled- Scripture says that Herod gathered the chief priests and the other clergy, and asked them about the Christ. They searched through the Old Testament prophecies, and sure enough, they found where the Messiah was predicted to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Even though Jesus fulfilled exactly all of the prophetic writings, they did not accept Him. Even today, religious scholors and leaders will not bow to the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ.


  • Parents were troubled- Because of Herod's jealousy, the parents of Jesus, were forced to flee to Egypt until the king's death. Then the parents of all Judea were troubled as Herod decreed the death of all male infants under 2 years of age, to insure that he had destroyed this new King who would replace him. Oh, the unspeakable tragedies in the hearts, homes and lives of those who have tried to get rid of Jesus, or have been devastated in the path of those bent on destroying Christ or His followers!


Thankfully, however, the Scripture records that there were indeed some who were Thrilled with His Coming...
  • A Baby was thrilled - Luke 1:41...”When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb”.... Even as an unborn infant, John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he leaped for joy at the prospect of the birth of Christ. He would become the forerunner and baptizer of Jesus, introducing Him to many who would believe in the Messiah. Children of all ages are still thrilled to learn about, and accept the Christ of Christmas. Woe unto those who obstruct them of that privilege!


  • Mary was thrilled - Luke 1:46-47...”and Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior'.” Though blessed to be the chosen human instrument by which the Messiah would be born, she realized she also was a sinner in need of a savior, and she rejoiced in His coming.


  • The Angels were thrilled - Lk. 2:13-14...”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, goodwill toward men'!”


  • The Shepherds were thrilled - Lk. 2:19...”Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen”.... They went immediately to the manger and looked adoringly at the Christ child, and widely proclaimed His coming to all who would listen.


  • Simeon was thrilled - Lk. 2:28-30...”he took Him(baby Jesus) in his arms and blessed God and said, 'Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. According to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation'”....


  • Anna was thrilled- Lk2:38...”And coming in that instant, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him(Jesus) to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Yes, whether it was 2000 years ago or today, there is plenty of evidence for mixed reviews and reactions about Christmas. Some are troubled, and some are thrilled at His coming. How about you? I hope you are in the second category. I pray you love everything about Christmas, and especially the Christ who made it all possible.

We should not only be thrilled that He came, but also that He is coming again! Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation”!! May each of us be thrilled (not troubled...John 14:1) that He came, and He's coming again!!

"One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as can be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men- my example was He...

...Living, He loved me; Dying He saved me;
Buried He carried my sins far away.
Rising, He justified, freely forever;
One day He's coming- O glorious day"!!
- J. Wilbur Chapman