Let me begin in the book of Joshua.
One of the first stories we run across in Joshua is the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). However, like many other stories in the Bible, the reality of the event is something we do not dwell on. Sure, it was miraculous. It was a testament to God's glory and faithfulness. But it also connects to something even bigger: the story of Jesus.
In Joshua 6, we see that the Israelites are preparing themselves for battle against the people of Jericho. God personally tells Joshua that he has already delivered Jericho into the Israelites hands, as long as they follow His instructions (Joshua 6:2-5).
For seven days the Israelites walked in silence around the walls of Jericho. For seven days there were no words spoken, no noise besides the trumpets being blown (Joshua 6:9-10).
Personally, I think, if I was an Israelite, the silence would drive me insane. Not only would we be walking around the walls of Jericho like ants, but we would also be unable to joke or chat or even complain. Aren't we supposed to be fighting? So why are we walking?
I believe it was likely that the Israelites got weary and bored very quickly. I believe they were eager for the final day, when Joshua was to let out the command to shout, so they could go in and conquer their enemies.
Similarly, for over six-hundred years, from the time of Isaiah (about four-hundred years after the last of the prophets), the Israelites waited in silence for the Messiah. God had promised a hope (Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 53), but He never came. They were forced to watch the world change around them, to see themselves get conquered by the Roman empire and to watch their religious leaders split. For hundreds of years, between the time of the Old and the New Testament, there was a time of waiting.
But on the seventh day, on the seventh time around the walls of Jericho, we begin to see the first signs of victory. There was hope coming. Joshua let out the command for the Israelites to shout, and after days of waiting, they did. And the walls of Jericho came tumbling down (Joshua 6:15-16, 20).
After centuries of silence, rays of hope began welling up, preparing the way for something greater. It began with the angel that appeared to Zechariah, promising him that, even though Elizabeth had been barren, she was to give birth to a son. This son was going to be named "John," and he was to prepare the way for the Messiah (Luke 1:67-79).
And then, one day, an angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, claiming that she would also give birth to a son. His name would be Jesus, and He would be called the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:28-35).
And thus, finally, after years of waiting, the Savior of the world was here. He was born in a stable and was laid to rest in a manger (Luke 2:11-12).
And just like the Israelites shouted for the walls of their enemies to come tumbling down, so was Jesus's birth the cry that sent the walls of the kingdom of darkness tumbling down.
Jesus held all the power of the world in His hands, yet He came down to the earth in the humble position of a baby--stripped of His splendor and power--for us. So, He could, thirty years later, die for us on the cross, allowing us to be able to come into right relationship with the Father.
Because of Jesus, we can be seen as righteous before the Lord and live eternally with Him. Because of Jesus, we can have victory and authority over the enemy.
This is the Christmas story. This is what we celebrate each year.
It isn't about what we can get. It isn't about the fun we can have. It isn't even about the "feel" of the season. It is about Christ. It is about the hope and the love that came pouring down in the stable on the night of His birth. It's not about us. It was never about us. Instead, it is about the goodness of God and the victory we have through His Son: Jesus.
Therefore, on this day that we celebrate, on this day that we gather with friends and family and open gifts, remind yourselves of the hope that was born this day. Do not allow yourselves to become desensitized to this story because you hear it so often. Do not allow the reality of what happened that night simply to become a narrative you can enjoy.
Remember Him.
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