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oh! ho! ho! the last.

Luke 2
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire… All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home…He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Did you just read that story or skip over it because you’ve heard it so many times? I know it’s tempting for me to just glance at it. It doesn’t seem that exciting. It’s the word-picture that matches the manger scene on your end table. It’s the obligatory story read before opening presents. But do you ever stop to read it and wonder? Wonder why things happened the way they did? Why Mary? Why Joseph? Why the shepherds? Why Bethlehem? Why a manger?

Growing up, reading the Christmas story so many times and hearing sermons preached and lessons taught, I knew Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because God prophesied it long ago. It was like a sign. You know a little check to mark off so you can make sure this Jesus guy is really the Messiah. And I’d always heard the angels told the shepherds about Jesus first because they were humble fellows–that’s who Jesus came for–regular folk. Personally, I’ve always thought the angels went to the shepherds first because they were the closest to the stable. You know, because after a journey through time and space, they were too tired to travel any further. Ahem.

Then I began to read some books by Brock & Bodie Thoene. If you aren’t familiar with Brock & Bodie Thoene, you are missing out on a significant experience in your life. They are prolific fiction authors–not just fun chick-lit or amusing stories. They are real historical researchers who have written several series based on God’s chosen people. Their series range from the Great Depression in the United States, the Holocaust of World War II, the rebirth of Israel and their current series, the history of Jesus on earth. I can honestly say, no other books have influenced me the way these books have. (I have so much to say about them and their books, but that will have to wait. I’m reading one right now, so when I’m done, I’ll be back to gush.)

Now they’ve got a new series of mini-books (try 83 pages) that answer the big…well, little questions about Jesus. Little questions that have big answers! There are three so far: Why A Manger?, Why A Shepherd? and Why A Crown? I picked up Why A Manger? a few weeks ago and read it last night. To say it was good is an understatement.

Each chapter answers one of the questions I had above. One of my favorite questions was “Why Bethlehem?”

They explain that Bethlehem is the place where the Temple sheep were born and raised. These were the sheep that would be chosen and bought by people to sacrifice and atone for their sins. The sheep of Bethlehem were thought to be holy–because they were set apart for a holy purpose. These sheep were raised by shepherds to be sacrificed for the sins of the Israelites.

So, where else would Jesus, the Lamb of God be born? He had to be born in Bethlehem! Not just to mark off a qualification for Messiah, but to be a picture to everyone who met him. To be a symbol and a fulfillment of God’s real plan!

And who got to meet Jesus first? Not just any old shepherds! Not just some regular old guys! THE shepherds! The shepherds that raised the sacrificial lambs! The shepherds who knew more than anyone what this sacrifice meant! Raising a little lamb from birth and then sending it to the slaughter—for a bunch of dumb, wicked people! Oh, what those shepherds understood about sacrifice! What it must have meant to them! They were the first ones to meet the Lamb of God, because they were the ones who would really understand.

WOW. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t God cool?! Each chapter of this little book has insight like this. I won’t give away the answer to “why a manger”, I’ll let you read it for yourself. (Just know that it made me cry.) Because for this last installment of my bloggy Christmas, I’m giving away Brock & Bodie’s book Why a Manger? to two winners. Just leave me a comment and you’ll be entered to win!

Now, my prayer for you…

I remember how it felt the hours and days after Lydia’s birth. I was emotional, tired and overwhelmed. I remember how my husband acted when holding our newborn baby. I remember the nurses wrapping my daughter in a swaddling blanket. I remember the friends and family that came to ooh and aah over my child.

What would it have been like to know that a miracle baby was in your arms? That the one who had planned His own coming, His own sacrifice, His own resurrection, was cooing in your arms? I don’t think they could understand. They hadn’t read the story a hundred times like we have. They were experiencing it, living it!

I pray the same for you. I pray during this Christmas season you experience the miraculous birth of the Lamb of God in your life. The Lamb that was born in the only place he could be born, among the sacrificial lambs of Bethlehem. Born in the little town of Bethlehem as reminder that The Lamb would grow up to die in your place, just as the lambs in the fields had been born to do.

Merry Christmas!

(ps–If you haven’t read anything by Brock & Bodie, GO OUT AND BUY SOME NOW! They are my absolute favorite! And if you start reading their blog, be prepared–it’s amazing!)

 

CONGRATS TO OUR WINNERS! 

Comments

  2. Wow, This sounds like the information I have been looking for. I will be checking into their books. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you.

  4. The detail of God’s plan never fails to astound me. I remember someone, a pastor likely, saying that myrrh was used to prepare a dead body for burial. Now why would someone bring that as a gift for a baby? Gorgeous symbolism.

  5. This sounds like a really great read. I may have to check into the other books they write as well. Pick me pretty please with a cherry on top? 🙂

  7. Wow, what great thoughts!!! I had no idea about Bethlehem! That’s awesome! I have read some of the Thoene’s work before, but it’s been a while! I’d sure love to read these!

  8. Oh wow! I’ve never heard of them, but it sounds like a wonderful series. And I could use a little perspective these days.

    And thanks for totally calling me out on skipping the story. I’m going back to read every word of it right now!

  10. Oh, thank you Amanda! I did not know that about Bethlehem and the sacrificial lambs. I love learning the deeper meanings that God has hidden for us to find. Yes, it is very cool. I would love to receive that book.

  11. I get chills thinking about how much God loves us, and how intricately He planned things for His Son’s coming to redeem us to Him!

    I’m going to look at the links for the Thoene’s that you gave, and yes, I’d love to be entered for the give-away. Though if I don’t win, I’ll get the books anyway, probably! 😉

  12. I would love to win these! I’ve started reading one of their series everytime I go to BAM to get a coffee…I’ve fallen in love. Since I’ve never made it through an entire book of theirs, these would be perfect to start with.
    Please, please, please pick me!!

  13. My friend Liz sent me to your site to read about Bethlehem. Thank you for showing the brightness of His glory in the great detail that He has worked into the very location of Christ’s birth. That He condescends to us to make Himself known in such painstakingly clear detail makes me quiver. Thank you for reminding me of His great love.

  16. Amanda, what a beautiful, prayerfully written and worded post. I am off to look for these books now! You brought tears to my eyes.

    A song in our cantata this year talked about how the wise men went home a different way after they came to the manger, and how if we truly come to the manger, we’ll go home a different way. I’m not saying it nearly as beautifully as the song does, but you get the gist…Thank you again for sharing both the material gifts and your spiritual gifts with us this Christmas! God has blessed me through you!

  17. Wow, Amanda, wow!

    I think I need to go buy that book! I love the little details that people shed on God’s Word to make us understand the time period better and thus understand our Lord better. Amazing!

  24. “Seasons Greetings!” You write very well. Your writings made me really think and feel. I wish I would have had the books you speak of when I taught Sunday School. Please enter me in your fabulous drawing. Thanks,Cindi

  26. My, what a beautiful review! I’m tearing up. I love hearing the true reasons for things, and the Thoenes are amazing. I would so love to win this book! Please sign me on.

  27. What a wonderful post. Thankyou, Amanda! I really don’t think we hear enough about Jesus our Savior this season. Presents are nice, but it’s not why we celebrate, and I think the giving & receiving often overshadow the giving praise to Him.

    I’ve never read anything by Brock & Bodie, but I’d love to!

  44. I’ve seen their books in the library and bookstores, but I’ve never picked one up. You’ve convinced me to do just that.

    This book sounds amazing. Thanks for the chance to win one. 🙂

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