Slideshow image

This blog post is Part 3 of a series entitled "Love Begins Here" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: December 17, 2023

Click here to listen to this message

Which nationality of people first celebrated Christmas as the birth of the Christ? The answer might surprise you! Christmas has long been recognized by Christians as the celebration of the birth of the Christ. This celebration originates back to the early 4th Century. However, the celebration of a holiday combining the two - Christmas day and the birth of Jesus actually began as part of a pagan celebration. I presume you are aware that the exact birth date of the Christ child is unknown. It has too been documented that Jesus most likely was not born in the winter months, specifically the month of December. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown. The Bible does not give specifics as to the dates of either His birth or conception. Let me remind you…The religious leaders at the time of Jesus’ death were not necessarily Roman. But Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor of Judea at this time. He served under the Roman emperor Tiberius and is famously known for presiding over the trial of Jesus Christ. And though initially skeptical, he ultimately made the final decision to have Jesus crucified. He served as Governor of Judea another four years after the death of Jesus. During the late 3rd Century, Roman culture was already celebrating a pagan holiday called: Saturnalia: Roman Pagan Holiday = Celebrated from December 17 – December 24; a holiday honoring the god Saturn. Eventually, the Romans began celebrating what was known as: Sol Invictus = the “unconquered sun;” associates with the winter solstice; observed on December 25.

Constantine, also known as Constantine the Great, was the Roman Emperor from AD 306 to 337. He was the first Emperor to convert to Christianity. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire when Emperor Theodosius (They-O-Do-C-Us) I issued the Edict of Thessalonica in 380, which recognized the catholic orthodoxy of Nicene Christians in the Great Church as the Roman Empire's state religion. It would be shortly after this Edict, in the late 4th Century, when Rome instituted Christianity as the state religion.  And in the month of December of that year, Rome began an annual celebration known as: The Feast of the Nativity = Rome converted both Saturnalia and Sol Invictus to a one-day Christian holiday.

Rome established a spiritually positive alternative celebration to the customs and debauchery associated with Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, thus being the first people to celebrate nationally the first Christmas Day. It was during this time, that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, was instituted as an annual celebration on December 25th. So, how fascinating it is, and equally ironic, that… get ready for this:

Those who killed the Christ, the Romans, are the same nationality who instituted the celebration of the birth of the Christ.

And therefore, ever since the 4th Century, Christians have redeemed the day, December 25th, as the day of celebration of the Christ.  Therefore, Love begins here… the first Christmas.

Throughout our time of bible study at Donelson First in 2023, we have spent the entirety of the year taking a deep dive into so very many important theological, doctrinal, spiritual, cultural and relational issues on a plethora of topics.We have examined the Orthodoxy of Scriptures, truth, and life. We have explored the origin of the world, the authenticity and errancy of Scripture, as well as dissected so very many rich and important thoughts and topics and questions on marriage, divorce, death, heaven, hell, politics, church discipline, deaconship, gender, and parenting, just to name a few. It is hard to believe that we have now come to the end of another year of biblical study. Wow! What a year this has been at Donelson First. 

I hope the same can be said for you as it has been for me this year… I want to be truly vulnerable with you for a moment.. This has been one of the most important years of biblical studies in the entirety of my life.  This too has been one of the most challenging years of my spiritual journey with the Christ. I have allowed the Holy Spirit to speak to me and reveal to me areas of my life in which I am in need of repair, restoration and revival. Along the way, I have welcomed His leading. Along the way, I too have wrestled with His Holy stubbornness. I have come to understand more intimately that: My walk with the Lord is one entangled in both celebration and conviction. I know this is true for me; I pray you will allow this to be true for you as we are quickly approaching the end of this year…Such a year of deep theological study can be so very healthy for the follower of the Christ, if rather than turning away from the hard and the challenging and the personal reflection, one welcomes such an exercise. I have come to understand more richly this year that an essential to experiencing spiritual growth requires of me an immense spiritual reflection. The reward - - a beautiful marriage of resting in the realization that, though I am yet to arrive at holiness, there is a tremendous individual recompence at every step as I continue dying to self to become more as the Christ.

Today we conclude this year of teaching examining a most spectacular moment in the most spectacular of stories. We too conclude the series Love Begins Here today, and in doing so, it is my prayer for us each that we will truly see…

Love begins here… the first Christmas.

As we do, I want to remind you of the one passage, the one passage that fully encapsulates the love story of the Christ through which I have been teaching the Love Begins Here series. Will you say John 3:16 with me again today:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The 5 parts of this story, the first 4 of which we have already discussed:

Love Begins Here…

1. For. (We learned in Part 1, in the Greek = Because of this very reason; with no doubt.)

2. God so loved the world.

3. God gave His one and only Son.

4. Whoever believes in Him shall not perish.

5. I will have eternal life.

As I talk today, I will speak less directly of part 5 than I have on the other 4 parts. But I am confident that as I teach, this promise of eternity, that truly captures the story of Christmas, will ever be before us. Take in the fullness of this most spectacular story. It’s a beautiful story...

Luke 1:26-38

The events surrounding the announcement of the birth of our Savior here in Luke 1 and in Luke 2 are saturated with Old Testament words and phrases and concepts that elevate the proof of the prophetic and divine hand of God on all that is happening and all that has been unfolding for so very many years leading up to this supernatural story of which Mary and Joseph find themselves now as central characters. And each of these events, together, lay the foundation for the promise of eternity found in John 3:16! There are some simple, yet often overlooked events that unfold here in this unique moment in time. So… I want to spend my final time of teaching with you in 2023 pointing out to you what I am identifying as:

5 Extraordinary, Yet Often Considered Ordinary, Events of the First Christmas

Extraordinary Event #1: Mary was not “gripped with fear.”

What must that moment have been like for this young teenager who is visited by the angel, Gabriel, and told: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28. In order to understand the fullness of Mary’s response, let’s compare her actions to those of Zechariah, her cousin’s husband, when he hears similar news that he too is to be a parent. The same angel, Gabriel, broke the news to Zechariah. And his response is much different than that of Mary’s:

Luke 1:5-12

Some translations say that Zechariah was “freaked,” “shaking” and as though “… one had seen a ghost!” But not Mary! I presume Mary’s response, though Scriptures do say she was troubled, speak to the true heart of this young woman. She loved God. And where there is love, Scriptures tell us there need not be fear! 

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. 1 John 4:17-18

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:4-5

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

We are reminded throughout the Scriptures:

When true love leads the way, there is no place for fear to reign.

Mary truly was a girl who loved God. And in this moment, though standing before the angel, Gabriel, remarkably she does not fear him!

Extraordinary Event #2: It’s the questions Mary does not ask that are bewildering.

If an angel appeared to you today, how would you respond? I am most confident I would not have responded as did Mary! I recall another time in Scripture when an angel of the Lord appeared to humans. Read with me:

Matthew 28:1-4

These men were so freaked, they shook! And then... they fell down as those who had died! Now, that is fear! Do you notice how Mary responds to the news the angel, Gabriel, delivers? She asks one question:

Luke 1:34

Mary doesn’t say anything debating or denying that what Gabriel has just told her cannot happen. Mary doesn’t ask for a sign for how all of these things might happen. Interestingly, this is precisely the opposite of how Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah responds to similar news that Gabriel delivers to him. Let’s continue reading where we left off with this story earlier:

Luke 1:13-20

Gabriel delivers similar news to Zechariah that he did to Mary. However, Zechariah, the Scriptures tell us, did not believe. And he was punished severely for this. However, Mary does no such thing! She merely asks for a light on how God will accomplish this matter.

Luke 1:34

If I were standing face to face with an angel, I’d have a few more questions, such as: Can you fly? If so, how fast? Can you run faster than Peter as did the apostle John? (Remember we discussed this two weeks ago from John 20.) Do you eat food?What’s heaven like? I too would probably ask some other questions like: How many more years do I have left on earth? Can you do something for my arthritis? And, had I been Mary, I too would probably have made the request: Can you break the news to my daddy that I’m pregnant? But Mary, cool, calm and collected, and obviously extremely wise for her age, doesn’t flinch. None of this seems to shake her. Let’s consider another “extraordinary!”

Extraordinary Event #3: Mary believed the unbelievable.

Luke 1:35-38

We know Mary faithfully, and without hesitation, trusts in the holiness and divinity of the will of the Lord. For, after Gabriel says, “... nothing will be impossible with God,” Mary responds with 12 of the most beautiful words of obedience spoken by a human in all of the Scriptures: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38.

After reading these words, I have once again found myself at a place of conviction this week; a place that is truly uncomfortable but too necessary. I think about moments past in my life when, faced with a decision over right and wrong, rather than saying: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” I instead said: I am going to do what I want in this moment. Or…I am going to do what feels good in this moment. Or…I am going to do what benefits me in this moment. Or… I am going to do what elevates me in this moment.

In 1993, I took meetings with several Country Music Producers who were interested in helping me record music and work to get a record deal here in Nashville. At one lunch meeting, one of the producers told a joke that I thought was extremely degrading to a woman’s body! Now, I do not even remember the joke that was told that day during our lunch meeting. And, honestly, since that time, I am most certain I have laughed at other “off-colored” jokes potentially more distasteful than the one I heard them tell that day. Interestingly, I thought of that moment this week when, out of the blue, Amy asked me: “Do you ever wish you would have stayed the course with those music producers?” I’ll tell you what I told her, “Honestly, sometimes I do. I wonder what might have been.” But I too can remember, though it was many years ago, feeling a great deal of conviction in that moment. So, I pulled out of the relationship and told them I did not want to continue our pursuit of a record deal. Who knows what might have come otherwise had I not told them, “No.” Amy and I will never know. But I do know, that in that moment, though having not said these exact words, I responded in this situation in the way in which I see Mary responds here to the words of the angel, essentially saying:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

I know I can say for me… there is so very much I can learn about who God desires I be as I consider the words of this young teenage girl. What if we each could choose to respond to the will of God, rather than as did Zechariah, in a similar way as did Mary? Too, imagine if we corporately as a Church could allow our hearts to be as the heart of Mary?

Let’s do this… As I pose a question, I request you repeat with me the words of Mary: I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled. What if each time the Lord asks something of me, my response is: I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled. What if each time the Lord nudges me to serve more, my response is: I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled. What if each time the Lord convicts me to surrender more, my response is: I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled. What if each time the Lord presses me to give more, my response is: I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled. What if each time the Lord allows me to go through a difficulty, my response is: I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled. Having thought through this the entirety of the week, I am confident…Mary was able to respond with these very words because she believed; believed in the power of God, and in His Word, and in His ability to make all things right under His plan and to His glory.

It was this belief of Mary that afforded to Mary the ability (at a very young age) to trust that God had the entirety of the situation in His hands. And all that was required of her… to believe the unbelievable.

Extraordinary Event #4: A baby leaps into action!

As we have been discussing, before Mary is even a part of this story, we know that Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth is too the recipient of a marvelous miracle. We too know that Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, have been praying for a child for many years:

Luke 1:5-7

We learn that Zechariah is a priest during the time of Herod, King of Judea. It is at this time that the angel, Gabriel, appears to Elizabeth’s husband. Notice again what the angel proclaims to Zechariah:

Luke 1:13-17

After we learn this news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Scripture then turns our attention to Mary, who we know chooses to visit her cousin Elizabeth. 


Luke 1:39-45

Scripture says Mary “hurried” to see Elizabeth. The word “hurried” in the Greek: Hurried /Greek/ poreuomai = accompanied; quickly traveled. Who accompanied Mary? More on that thought in a moment…This Greek word “hurried” also means to “travel quickly.” Why so quickly? I think the answer is obvious: She is excited!

I remember when Amy was working her first job at a law firm downtown. She had been hired and had set for the bar, btu had not yet received her scores. I recall like it was yesterday the day that I sat on a park bench on Church Street awaiting the bar results to be posted to a window! When I saw her name on the list… I ran 5 blocks as fast as I could, into an elevator, up 17 floors to give her the news! I was so excited for her!

It appears Mary begins her journey to see Elizabeth as soon as possible! She most likely traveled close to 70 miles from Nazareth to their home in Judea. This would have been a major trip for anyone in this time, but this is especially true for a young teenage girl. And look at what happens as Mary walks through the door to greet Elizabeth:

Luke 1:41

This is one of my most favorite moments in all of the Christmas story! For several reasons…First, see what happens in the womb of Elizabeth… a baby leaps! What a great testament to the sanctity of life for the unborn! A baby in the womb of Elizabeth is alive. And responds to the events happening in the world outside the womb! This one verse speaks so very much to the truth that a life is alive and real and is a child inside of the womb! And, we the Church, are to do all we can to protect this sanctity ordained by God! Secondly, recall the prophetic words Gabriel spoke over Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son, John. Remember what the angel proclaimed John will do? Read these words again:

Luke 1:13-17

It is foretold that John will “… go on before the Lord” and he will “…make ready a people for the Lord!” When the baby, John, leaps in the womb as Mary enters the home, I see this as the prophetic first act of John “preparing the way of the Lord” as, even yet still in the womb, he is telling the world… and for sure telling his momma’s belly:

Love begins here. And His name is Jesus.

John’s daddy would go on to say, actually sing, similar prophetic words in a song he writes about the role his son is to embrace:

Luke 1:76-79

I told y’all this was a beautiful story! And the last Extraordinary Event of which we have time to discuss today…

Extraordinary Event #5: A One-of-a-Kind Character “Fills” the Entire Story.

Throughout this series, we have discussed so very many characters in the story of Christmas - - God, Jesus, the Magi, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist, and even the apostle John whom Jesus loved. Yet, there is one additional character we have read of often throughout these truly extraordinary moments in history, though I have yet to draw our attention to this very important of characters! Let me offer you a few hints as to whom I speak of: This character appears at least 7 times throughout the first two chapters of the book of Luke. He is ever-present in this story. And… He is also a part of the trilogy. Of whom do I speak? - - The Holy Spirit. Read these verses:

Luke 1:15
Luke 1:41
Luke 1:67
Luke 1:80
Luke 2:25
Luke 2:26
Luke 2:27

I truly love the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the greeting that Mary has with Elizabeth in Luke 1:41. Look quickly at it again:

Luke 1:41

In this beautiful moment, the unborn child in Elizabeth is so stirred and exuberant that he leaps – okay ladies, let’s call it what it is: He kicks his momma’s belly! It is at this moment that Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and she announces to Mary before Mary announces to her the identity of the Christ-child within young Mary’s womb! Fascinating!

Luke 1:42-43

And remember I noted earlier in Extraordinary Event #3 that Mary believed the unbelievable. Here we read exactly this - - Mary did believe. Elizabeth supernaturally knows this, and this is precisely what Elizabeth says of Mary when she proclaims: Luke 1:44-45. How very beautiful! And all of this happens as the Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth! I tell you… the more you study the Word, the more you realize how alive and exciting and celebratory are these Words of life, especially here at Christmas! I end today reading to you the extraordinary song Mary sings. Listen today as we end:

Luke 1:46-55

__________________________________

Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.