The Tragedy of Jesus' Birth or The Real Cost of Christmas

The Tragedy of Jesus’ Birth 

(The real cost of Christmas)

·         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:

   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

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.