The Cast of Christmas
Jesus
December 24, 2022 • Andrew Cullen • Luke 2:6–7
From our perspective, we know why the angel’s announcement that a Savior has been born is good news. But put yourself in the shoes of the cast of Christmas. The shepherds returned to their day jobs. Joseph and Mary and Jesus returned to their home. The wise men returned to their books and charts. Jesus didn’t begin his ministry until 30 years later. He hasn’t passed the temptation of Satan in the wilderness. He hasn’t been obedient to lay down his life. A Savior was born, but nothing changed. Even if they believed this baby was going to grow up and prove He is the Messiah, nothing changed that first Christmas. How can this be good news? God’s promises are what make news good even when nothing has changed.
Herod
December 18, 2022 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 2:16
Why is the Christmas story marked by so much meaningless suffering? After all, it is not fair that an evil king should live at the expense of so many innocent children. What if the wickedness of King Herod would cause God’s people to look beyond him to the coming King? People would be more drawn to King Jesus because King Herod was so evil. People would see how Jesus welcomed children. People would see how Jesus comforted the grieving. People would see how Jesus loved the lonely. We only need hope when we hurt. We only need light when it is dark. A miracle is only amazing because someone is hurting or something is broken. Heroes are only heroes because there is a villain they defeat.
Simeon
December 11, 2022 • Jason Hilgeman • Luke 2:25–35
Simeon was a righteous and devout man. God promised that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. Why did God make this promise? God is a promise keeping God. Why did Luke include these 11 verses about a man who does not move the plot of the Christmas story forward? God cares for us as individuals and wants a personal relationship with us.
Joseph
December 4, 2022 • Andrew Cullen • Matthew 1:18
Joseph was a simple man, from a small town, with a rough start to marriage. He didn’t have that ‘wow’ factor. He didn’t draw a crowd or create excitement. He didn’t even say anything worth writing down. He had every lawful and moral reason to divorce Mary quietly. But Joseph was obedient to God and remained committed to Mary. Because Joseph stayed with Mary, Jesus was born into the line of King David. In other words, Jesus could be the Messiah because Joseph was his dad.