Christmas Who's Who

In the past 15 years of ministry, I have answered countless questions about God's Word. Often times I am asked a question most church attendees would assume everyone knows the answer. I am frequently asked, "Who are the people in the barn?" The first time I was asked, I had no idea what the man was asking. Then he asked specifically, "Why is there a baby surrounded by animals?" I realize little common ground can be found in this time and day between the unchurched and a Pastor. I would like to use this opportunity to answer these questions and make myself available if any follow up is needed or other questions linger.

The three central figures to what is known as the Nativity are Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. According to the Gospel of Luke in Chapter 2, Mary and Joseph are betrothed or engaged. During their engagement, the government made a decree that everyone had to return to their hometown to be counted in a census for tax purposes. Mary and Joseph have to go to Bethlehem. Due to the unexpected crowd, no rooms were available. The time comes for Mary to have her baby. This is no ordinary baby. This baby is not the son of Joseph. Mary, a virgin, has conceived a child through the power of the Holy Spirit. This child is born the Savior. He is the one prophesied from the Old Testament. He is Christ. His name is Jesus. According to the Gospel of John chapter 1, He is God and was with God in the beginning of creation. Through Him all things were made that have been made. Then, He becomes flesh and lives among us. The point is, He was born the Savior, Hedid not become the Savior. This is the child who grows up to be the one who dies on the cross. He rises from the dead three days after His death. This event is the celebration of Easter. Jesus was sinless, yet died a sinner's death. This death was atonement for our sins. This sacrifice allows restoration between God and His favorite creation, mankind. The Bible says in Romans chapter 6 we deserve death for our sin, but God's gift is eternal life because of Christ Jesus our Lord. The only available space for His birth was a stable and He was laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.

The men who show up are shepherds. As they were out in the fields watching over their flocks, they were notified by an angel of the events taking place in town. The shepherds go into town to see the miraculous event. When they arrived in town, they found the baby lying in a manger just as the angel had said.

One more group you may find present are the Magi, or wisemen from the East, discussed in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 2. This Gospel states these men came to the house where the child was. It does not actually state they arrived to the manger. Three gifts are mentioned: gold, incense, and myrrh. The exact number of Magi is not mentioned, but custom recognizes the number being three due to the three gifts.

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at: revmarkthompson@frontier.com