The first Christmas, the birth of Jesus, did not just randomly unfold. All the events leading up to it and surrounding it were perfectly orchestrated. This was done by the great Mastermind (God). To make sure the plan was executed, God did not leave it up to man alone. That would not have worked. You know as well as I do that things would have gotten messed up! Instead, God intervened at each step, making sure everything went according to His will.
If you read through the scriptures concerning the Christmas story (Mathew chapters 1 & 2, Luke chapters 1 & 2) you will see God not only making things happen, but jumping in just at the right time using miracles, angels, and dreams, depending on the circumstance. All this perfectly demonstrates God's providence and sovereignty.
Let's look at 3 aspects of the Christmas story that show how God perfectly orchestrated the Christmas story.
A)THE PLANNING
From the foundation of the world, God planned the first Christmas.
1 Peter 1:20
God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
All throughout the Old Testament, there are hints, predictions and prophecies of the coming Messiah. There are even specific Old Testament scriptures that foretell the birth of Jesus in detail.
Isaiah 7:14
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah lived approximately 700 years before Jesus was born! He predicts the virgin birth.
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. This even predicts that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem.
B)THE TIMING
When everything was in place -- the Roman rule and execution method, the Greek language to accurately write the New Testament, the presence of cities such as Bethlehem, the existence and condition of the Jewish Pharisees, etc. -- then the timing was perfect for Jesus to come into the world.
Galatians 4:4
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
C)THE ARRIVAL
It’s amazing to see the extent of God’s providence in the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. It’s easy to see that God leaves nothing to chance. Here we go......
THE ANGEL GABRIEL
First, the Angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-17). Then the Angel Gabriel strikes Zechariah dumb (Luke 1:19-22).
A MIRACLE
God allows Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, who was barren to become pregnant (Luke 1:23-25).
THE ANGEL GABRIEL AGAIN
Next, the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary (Luke 1:26-37) to announce that she is the chosen one.
MORE MIRACLES
Mary miraculously becomes pregnant (Luke 1:38). Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:39-45). Zechariah’s speech miraculously returns (Luke 1:57-66). Zechariah speaks prophecy (Luke 1:67-79).
MORE ANGELS
An Angel appears to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25). An Angel announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds (Luke 2:1-12). A multitude of Angels appear to the shepherds (Luke 2:13-20)
PROPHETS
Simeon speaks prophecy when baby Jesus is brought to the temple (Luke 2:21-35). Anna speaks prophecy acknowledging Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
MORE MIRACLES
The miraculous star appears to the the Wise Men and leads them to Jesus (Matthew 2:9-11). Their gifts provided the way for Mary and Joseph to bring Jesus to Egypt and live there until Herod died.
DREAMS
The Wise Men are warned in a dream to escape from Herod (Matthew 2:12)
MORE ANGELS
An Angel appears to Joseph to tell him to escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-18). An Angel appears to Joseph to tell him to return to Israel (Matthew 2:19-21)
DREAMS
Joseph is directed in a dream to bring Jesus to Nazareth (Matthew 2:22-23)
Baby Jesus, like any other human baby, was unable to fend for Himself. He was totally dependent on others. But as you can see, in His case, the "others" was not only his parents, but the Father in Heaven, who protected Him and provided for Him with angels, miracles, and dreams.
The bottom line is this: the Messiah had come and nothing was going to stop Him. Christmas is a time to reflect what God has done and celebrate His plan to rescue us and save us. It's truly a time to worship Him. Hallelujah!!
