Why the Nativity? - part 1 of 2

YouTube is one of the most powerful ways we share the gospel ((music playing)) today. When you subscribe, you're helping us reach people who may never step foot in a church or turn on a Christian broadcast. So don't just watch, take a moment to subscribe and join us in sharing Jesus ((music playing)) with the world. >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> The world is is about to change forever.

A day of reckoning, a decree from on high, a time to be counted, a world ruled by an iron fist. Just when people ((music playing)) needed hope, God would send a baby, a king, to offer a foretaste of a better future. ((music playing)) But why? Why was a virgin chosen to be the mother of Jesus?

((music playing)) Why would an earthly man be chosen to raise a baby sent from heaven? >> ((music playing)) >> Why choose the loneliest of men to be ((music playing)) the first to see the newborn king? Why did kings come from the east to worship the king of the Jews? Why Bethlehem? ((music playing)) And perhaps the most important question, why should we care?

And what should the baby in Bethlehem mean to me? ((music playing)) Though many years have gone by and that stable in Bethlehem is long gone, we need to concentrate ((music playing)) our gaze through the midst of time through the lens of scripture and use our imagination not to change the Christmas story, but envision the people, places, and circumstances that could have been a part of the nativity.

And in doing ((music playing)) so, we will answer the mystery, the meaning and the question, why ((music playing)) the nativity? Why the nativity? Is it just another historic event, just another ((music playing)) superstition, or a leftover fairy tale from childhood? What if this special moment in history was the beginning of our redemption? ((music playing)) To answer these questions, it will require the word of God to be our guide and our imagination to ((music playing)) tell the story.

It will require us to do just what the shepherds did, just what the wise men did, and even what Joseph and Mary did. We need to travel to Bethlehem. I'm David Jeremiah. Won't you journey back with me to a far away place and to a time that might otherwise ((music playing)) be forgotten?

Let's set our course then for two millennia ago, the dividing point in history. The scene is the little town on the quiet landscape ((music playing)) of Judea. There are rumors of a miracle happening any day. We are now ready to explore the questions that surround our remarkable journey through the wonder of Christmas.

For to us a child is born. ((music playing)) To us a son is given and the ((music playing)) government will be on his shoulders and he will be called wonderful ((music playing)) counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince ((music playing)) of peace. Just when people most needed hope, God sent ((music playing)) prophets to offer a foretaste of a better picture.

More than 300 Old Testament prophecies ((music playing)) would be fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the first would come to pass in a little town called Bethlehem. But before we visit the little town of Bethlehem, let's step back further in this story to discover what we can about the man and woman who were chosen to raise God's only son.

Joseph and Mary grew up in an unremarkable town called Nazareth. [crying] ((music playing)) It was much like any number of other villages on the Galilean plane. Most likely the two would have played together ((music playing)) in the fields and town square as children. ((music playing)) >> The two sets of parents had arranged their marriage that would unite not just the two young people but two families.

Mary would be thinking about her young, handsome carpenter. He noticed her smile ((music playing)) and the godliness of her character. ((music playing)) Joseph ((music playing)) was probably a simple and practical man. He would pursue his craft, maintain a good name in ((music playing)) the community, attend a synagogue, and raise a family. and Mary, a Jewish young lady who would one day live with her husband's family.

And there the two would begin a life and a family to call their own. ((music playing)) Go. The preparation for this young couple's marriage ((music playing)) included exchanging of gifts by the couple and between each family. >> You're awesome. ((music playing)) >> These are some grapes cheese. I hope you like it. >> These are really good. >> Yeah. >> Hey, boys.

Thanks. ((music playing)) Mary and Joseph anticipated the joy and realry of the ceremony with the opportunity to wear fine ((music playing)) clothes and dawn expensive jewelry and eat specially prepared food and above all to happily live in marriage with their beloved. I wanted you to have >> like a wedding bouquet. >> Nothing could come between them and the life together ((music playing)) they had planned since childhood.

Mary's presupposed quiet life would be spent in useful ((music playing)) service to her family and community. How could Mary have known about the life that lay ahead of her? ((music playing)) Now, in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was ((music playing)) sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David.

The virgin's name ((music playing)) was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one. The Lord is with you," "Blessed are you among ((music playing)) women." But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying. ((music playing)) Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and shall call ((music playing)) his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the highest. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, >> "But how can this be since ((music playing)) I know not a man?" >> And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the highest will overshadow you. Therefore also that holy one who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

Then Mary said, ((music playing)) >> "Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her ((music playing)) life. >> Why Mary? She was a virgin who honored scripture and obeyed the will of her father. She was a clean vessel to provide God's only son, a home from which he would emerge to redeem the world. >> Mary's heart was in the right place, and her focus was on God's will.

Beautiful. >> She knew God's strength ((music playing)) makes all things possible, and his love makes any ((music playing)) burden a joy to bear. We can imagine that Joseph, like Mary, would desire an orderly and ordinary life. Certainly, Joseph's life was proceeding in the right direction. He was in love and making all the preparations that needed to be made for his wedding to Mary. >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> And now in shock and disbelief, ((music playing)) Joseph had observed the obvious pregnancy of his fiance.

((music playing)) Everyone would wrongly assume that Joseph was the father. >> ((music playing)) >> The Bible tells us that Joseph was a just and honorable man now faced with a difficult ((music playing)) decision. >> You need to go back. Please don't make sense. Just go back. And though by law he had the right to put Mary away, he was ((music playing)) righteous and was not willing to disgrace her publicly. >> Talk to her.

Talk to me. >> You are speaking in anger. I will go. >> Some friends agreed with his decision of compassion. While many most likely did not. >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> an adulterer. and adulterous ((music playing)) think of you ((music playing)) in front of the whole town. >> No. Oh, so we can go please.

I I >> Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus ((music playing)) because he will save his people from their sins.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through ((music playing)) the prophet. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel which means God ((music playing)) with us. >> [snorts] [panting] >> When Joseph awoke from his dream, he did exactly what the angel of the Lord commanded him to do.

He trusted in God and in the word he received through God's messenger. ((music playing)) Consider the change that came about in Mary's ((music playing)) life since she was visited by the angel Gabriel. Thoughts of marriage turned to thoughts of motherhood and thoughts of a quiet ordinary life turned to being at the center of ridicule ((music playing)) and speculation from those in her village. >> No, no.

Why Mary? Mary herself ((music playing)) must have wondered. Indeed, the reasons she was chosen are known only to God. But we do know this. She was highly favored ((music playing)) by God, obeyed the Holy Scriptures, and surrendered to God's mysterious plan. ((music playing)) Mary prayed Joseph would do the same. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Heat. ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Joseph would take Mary as his wife.

He would be the earthly father to the Christ child. he ((music playing)) would postpone his desires for the will of God. And in this plan, he believed. ((music playing)) And Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took to him his wife, ((music playing)) and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son.

And he called ((music playing)) his name Jesus. What was it about the vast Roman Empire that was ideal for the coming of Christ? The Romans themselves unknowingly were part of the answer. For the ((music playing)) first time in history, the Mediterranean world, the cradle of civilization, was unified. All roads led to Rome and Roman roads led almost everywhere on earth, including Jerusalem and the entire region around where Roman ruler Herod the Great ((music playing)) ruled with an iron fist and a troubled heart.

[screaming] The miserable king was ((music playing)) worried about death. At the same time, someone was coming to conquer it. He ((music playing)) was making funeral arrangements. unsuccessfully attempting suicide ((music playing)) and lying awake through the night wondering who would come to steal his crown. For Herod, it was not good to ((music playing)) be king. How long would he remain on the throne?

Who would come along to threaten his ((music playing)) power? Many other ideas were present in the world of the first century, but no other ideas were capable ((music playing)) of toppling the greatest empire in the history of humanity. Jesus not only came at the perfect time, he brought the perfect message. He brought hope and light.

In a world ruled by the sword, this teacher ((music playing)) would bring perfect peace. In a world of violence and retribution, he would teach to love one's enemies. In a world of death, he offered hope of new and eternal life. ((music playing)) The Romans dominated through the power of terror. He would dominate through love.

That was a message to capture the world in the fullness of time. Just when his truth and love could spread with the greatest impact, Jesus came to bring the most radical, most wonderful message that would ever be presented. ((music playing)) What was soon to happen in his stable in Little Bethlehem would redefine history at the perfect time for all time. >> ((music playing)) >> And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.

So all went to be ((music playing)) registered, everyone to his own city. ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Joseph. also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea ((music playing)) to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of ((music playing)) the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

Hey ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) over Yeah. ((music playing)) Off the car on the door. Let all the people go. ((music playing)) Move out of the way. >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> ((cheering)) ((cheering)) >> The empire of Rome was taking names, and all those Israelites who descended from King David were instructed to report to their hometown of Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph included. And though Mary was now great with child, they began their trek to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register for the Roman taxation. >> That's everything. Okay. The day arrived when Mary and Joseph would leave their quiet home in Nazareth and set out on their journey to be registered in Bethlehem. >> I'm going to miss you.

((music playing)) Thank you for coming. >> As they prepared to go, their friends and family would have gathered to ((music playing)) wish them well. Present them with handcrafted gifts for the soontobe ((music playing)) born baby. >> It's a gift for your child. Thank you. >> And speak words of blessings and ((music playing)) prayers over them.

((music playing)) >> I love you. >> Thank you, >> Mary. ((music playing)) This is for you. >> Oh, it's to keep him warm on the journey. >> Oh, I will cherish this. Thank you. >> Of course. Please remember to keep >> the young couple ((music playing)) were about to take the first steps into a world more wonderful than they could ever have imagined.

((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) >> Yeah. ((music playing)) Heat. With each step of their journey, Mary and Joseph moved further away from the only home they knew. With each twist and turn of the winding road, they became more separated from all that was familiar and comfortable for them in Nazareth. Mary and Joseph would travel some 90 miles to Bethlehem and most likely encountered a harsh and dangerous world along the way.

Bring me water. ((music playing)) Disgusting. Just like the rest of you. Let us go. ((music playing)) Hey. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) >> Hallelujah. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Heat. Bethlehem would play host to the nativity. An event that the world hardly noticed, yet an event that changed the destiny of every human creature. ((music playing)) That little town of Bethlehem, it bore watching.

So as the years went by, the rabbis remembered and the scholars kept an eye on the village. Everyone else passed it by without much notice. So that upon that amazing day, when a peasant and his betrothed wife stole wearily into a frenzied town, no one could have anticipated that the world was about to be changed forever. >> ((music playing)) >> Please express Yes.

((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Heat. ((music playing)) Heat. ((music playing)) Heat. ((music playing)) Anything? Anything? >> Nothing. Nothing. ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) >> One can only picture the scene Mary and Joseph first encountered as they approached the gates of Bethlehem. Travelers clamoring for lodging, vendors soliciting their wares, the best and worst of Bethlehem comingling to survive, to find food, and to secure lodging.

((music playing)) Thank you. Thank you. No, no, thank you. ((music playing)) Joseph would be overwhelmed by what he found. Mary could deliver the son of God at ((music playing)) any moment. And so a desperate search began to find shelter. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> ((cheering)) ((music playing)) >> I'm Looking for a place to stay. >> Good luck next door. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Sir, please. >> I don't have room for anyone.

Mary took in the sights and sounds of a world too busy and ((music playing)) too sinful to notice the Messiah would be born among them. Mary knew her son would be called the child of God. Jesus, ((music playing)) their savior, would quietly arrive in Bethlehem that day. ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) >> Hey, sorry. ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) >> Hey.

Hey. You okay? I think I have a lead on a room. >> Really? >> I see an in that looks promising for us. >> Okay. >> It'll be fine. Okay. Just follow me. Sure. Okay. Nothing. >> People go home. Please go home. There's nothing I could do for you.

((music playing)) I don't get get out of my way. Get out. Go. No. No. No. No. No. Go. Please. Go. Sorry. My wife and I, we've been traveling all day and night. We've been walking all around here. We came from Nazareth. >> She's pregnant. >> She's getting ready to give birth.

I just need to see if you have any rooms. >> I I'm a carpenter. I I can I can please. Hey, >> you okay? It was by heavenly design that Jesus would come ((music playing)) into the world not in relative comfort of the inn, but in some ((music playing)) lowly unckempt stable.

This event was no momentary impulse. It was the decisive moment in human history. The place and condition of his birth ((music playing)) pre-arranged by God. >> ((music playing)) >> The Lord of creation chose to enter this world quietly amid an unquiet scene. A homeless birth was part and ((music playing)) parcel of a homeless life.

Accepting humanity's rejection even in his birth, Jesus ((music playing)) would send a message of stubborn, unbreakable love to the world. ((music playing)) We had no room for him. But homeless no more, one day he will throw open the doors of heaven so that no one might be left in the cold. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped ((music playing)) him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) >> The Lord himself will give you the sign. ((music playing)) Look, the virgin will conceive a child.

She will give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. ((music playing)) Emmanuel, imagine the moment when Joseph and Mary saw the Christ child for the first time. ((music playing)) What a profound moment. The infinite has come to dwell among the finite, the perfect among the imperfect, and this world is graced ((music playing)) by the presence of one who can never be limited by it because it is his own creation.

They knew this child was like no other. Angels had announced him and prophecies had ((music playing)) foretold him. No other baby was conceived this way. The miracle of a virgin birth. Jesus is born. The Messiah has come. The savior of the world. When this supernatural and spectacular event occurred on that night in Bethlehem, who do you imagine would be the first to greet the newborn king?

The world's emperors, priests, ((music playing)) and prophets, soldiers, and scholars. No, this honor ((music playing)) was reserved for society's outcasts, a band of poor shepherds tending their flocks ((music playing)) outside of Bethlehem. They were the lowliest of the low, despised by the local gentry, men whose skin glistened with sweat, whose clothes gave off a stench of animals and the fields. those who lack the most basic manners or education.

They bore names nowhere recorded in the Bible. Yet, whatever their names may have been, they would grace the guest list of the most joyful moment in human history. They were not of high esteem on earth. However, on this night, they were favored by heaven. Imagine the wonder of that evening for those humble field hands.

One moment the skies ((music playing)) were dark and their moods were perhaps darker. >> Get out. >> The next moment their lives would be changed ((music playing)) forever. A visitation they would not soon forget nor cease to recount for the rest of their lives. >> I'm not sure. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the ((music playing)) fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were ((music playing)) greatly afraid. >> ((music playing)) >> Then the ((music playing)) angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, ((music playing)) which will be to all people.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a ((music playing)) Savior, who is Christ the Lord. >> ((music playing)) >> And this will be the sign to you. You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) We must you heard the angels. >> They go to must go to Bethlehem. >> So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known ((music playing)) to us."

These simple men followed the instructions the angels had given them. And they made their way to Bethlehem to take part in an experience that countless generations of Christians have envied to worship the Christ child. As if to set the tone for the entire life and message of his son, God brought a delegation of lowly shepherds to be the first to see, to worship, to celebrate.

He invited simple people to take the low road and soon wise men to take the high road because from that moment all roads would lead to the manger ((music playing)) and the Christ child. Hey. Hey. Get out of here. Get out of there. >> Hey, get out of here. Hey.

Feel the tail. Hey, get out. Get out. ((music playing)) What are you even doing? Get out of here. Get out of here. Get my out of here. Get out of here. >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Come on. Come on. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Heat. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Heat. >> ((music playing)) ((music playing)) >> Come here. What do you think? >> We just traveled by walking.

Let me see. ((music playing)) As the shepherds left the stable that night, as the Bible tells us, they told everyone in their path of the things that had happened to them. Their lives would never again be the same. ((music playing)) The sky would never seem so dark. They would know that just ((music playing)) as they kept watch over their sheep by night, someone far greater was keeping watch over them.

((music playing)) Thank you for watching today. As ((music playing)) you reflect on Dr. Jeremiah's words about the birth of Christ and the first Christmas. If you would like to know more about Jesus Christ and the hope ((music playing)) you can have in him, Dr. Jeremiah would like to share two free resources with you.

The first is a booklet called Your Greatest ((music playing)) Turning Point, which will help you begin your relationship with Christ. And the second is his monthly devotional ((music playing)) magazine, Turning Points, to give you encouragement and inspiration throughout the year. These resources are yours ((music playing)) completely free when you contact TurningPoint today. Join us next time on Turning Point for the final chapter of Why the Nativity, a king for all nations here on Turning Point.

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