The Tragedy of Jesus’ Birth
(The real cost of Christmas)
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A tragedy is defined
as
1.
very sad event: an event in life that evokes
feelings of sorrow or grief
2.
disastrous event: a disastrous circumstance or
event, e.g. serious illness, financial ruin, or fatality
Have you ever thought that the birth of Christ had tragic
consequences? In today's society we rarely think about the true cost of
Christmas. I'm not speaking about the expense of toys, travel, or holiday festivities.
In today's society we think about not being able to buy Christmas
presents and give to our loved ones a tragedy. It may be we can't afford to
visit our love ones during the Christmas season. And although this may be a
very sad situation it is not a true tragedy.
I'm talking about the real cost of Christmas. On the day that
Christ was born Angels announced his birth to shepherds watching their flocks
at night. The shepherds went to find the Christ child. They found him lying in
a manger among the animals with his parents. They could never imagine what
would happen in the near future. When a jealous king would destroy an entire city’s
male children, every child under two years of age in Bethlehem would be put to death in fear that they would
be king someday. In Matthew 2:16-18
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the
wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the
male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years
old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was
spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
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18 “A voice was heard
in Ramah,
Lamentation,
weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel
weeping for her children,
Refusing
to be comforted,
Because
they are no more.”
Little did Herod the great know that Jehovah
God had warned the parents of the eternal King, Joseph and Mary to flee to
Egypt.
Matthew
2:13-15
13
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in
a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to
destroy Him.”
14
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for
Egypt,
15
and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My
Son
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Upon Herod the Great's death Jesus and his family would be called
out of Egypt. Once again fulfilling prophecy.
So you see there was a great tragedy that occurred shortly after Jesus’
birth. The tragedy once again fulfilled prophecy. Jesus birth came at a great
cost to Bethlehem. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid the ransom of the sin of
the world.
The tragedy today is that people still reject Jesus as God's son.
This rejection will lead them into eternal damnation and separation from God
for all eternity. As Christians we are not responsible for a person to accept
Christ. We are responsible as stated in Matthew 28 to tell lost people about
Christ and to make disciples.
This year as you contemplate Christmas presents and their cost
please keep in mind the greatest present of all which could never be repaid was
the birth of the Christ child. Merry Christmas to all and may the love of the
Christ child living you.
