Think about the first Christmas night. For most people around the world, it was just another night, like every night before it. It was far from being a “silent night.” In the little town of Bethlehem, people were distracted by life. Their activities had nothing to do with the anticipated birth of the promised Messiah. Most people had long forgotten or, at least, stopped looking, for this 750-year-old prophecy to be fulfilled.

Bustling Bethlehem

Like today, politics was on everyone’s mind with the declaration of a Roman census, which included paying yet more taxes (Luke 2:1–20). With a population estimated around 500, the decree requiring everyone to return to their ancestral home would more than triple Bethlehem’s population overnight.

Bethlehem residents were overwhelmed by the incoming crowds, many of whom were extended family. Roads and walkways were jammed with people, carts, and animals. Talking, yelling, laughing, singing, and bleating could be heard throughout. People crowding, shoving, and pushing, hoping to find a place to sleep and food to eat, became frustrated and angry when hearing there was no more room.

The sights and sounds of Bethlehem that night did not invoke peace and joy, as people were simply preparing for the next day. No one was thinking of what was about to happen that would change history for all of mankind.

God’s Glory

God was preparing the world for the entry of Jesus into history so that, when in the fullness of His time (Galatians 4:4–5), God would demonstrate His love for mankind by giving Jesus. After 750 years of predicting the birth of Jesus, Heaven was on the move. The announcement of John the Baptist to be born of parents too old to conceive (Luke 1:12–19), the announcement to a young teenage virgin who lived 80 miles away from Bethlehem that she would bring forth a Son (Luke 1:26–35), to the angel appearing to Joseph to prepare him for what was to come (Matthew 1:18–25), to the Roman decree requiring Joseph and Mary to journey to Bethlehem just as Mary was to give birth (Luke 2:1–6) — all were miraculous events that separately seemed strange, but linked together, revealed God’s purpose for this exact moment in time.

Bethlehem Birth

With all the chaos and confusion of the day occupying people’s minds, God had His own sights and sounds to display. Just imagine — shepherds on the side of a hill, like other nights, watching their flocks as they have done for ages. Suddenly, an angel appears, announcing the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:8–14), followed by a multitude of a heavenly host lighting up the night sky. Can you imagine the conversation that followed and the shepherds finding Jesus just as the angels said.

The shepherds interrupted the Bethlehem chaos with their own story, excitedly sharing their experience with everyone and announcing the birth of Jesus. All who heard it marveled (Luke 2:18) — a response that was overwhelming, unable to fully comprehend what they were being told.

While Mary observed the actions of the shepherds and pondered — to think and weigh in the mind — the importance of the event now taking place as described by the angel (Luke 2:19), the shepherds returned to the fields and the flocks, glorifying God for all they had seen and heard (Luke 2:20).

The story does not end with the night of Jesus’ birth. Up to two years later, the magi from the East arrive to worship this baby, following a supernatural star to find where the family was living. Also visited by an angel in a vision, the magi returned home, no doubt sharing their experience with others.

Ponder the moment

The sights and sounds of Christmas that we see and hear today are not so different from that night. We are truly a distracted people, with all our anxieties, fears, and stressors. Do we recognize the significance of God sending Jesus, not just to change our world, but to change us — providing the permanent, eternal way to reconcile us back to Him? God announced that Jesus’ birth was good news that would bring His peace to mankind (Luke 2:10–14), peace with God as we are reconciled to Him) and the peace of God (escaping His wrath and judgment for our sins).

This season, even with all the distractions of life, take a moment and “ponder” the real reason for Christmas. Recognize that Jesus’ birth is the only event in all of history that impacted all of mankind. Jesus’ birth is a historical fact. The altering of history as it was known before Jesus’ birth is a historical fact. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are all undisputed historical facts.

People living in 4 BC did not know it was 4 BC until after the birth of Christ. Dating all of man’s history is based on Jesus’ birth. No other person, no other event, changed our daily lives in such a significant way.

What will your Christmas be like? Will it be just another day, full of stressors and worries, without hope? Or will you “ponder” the first Christmas events and recognize Jesus for who He is?

Jesus, who changed how we view world history, wants to change you, in a similar miraculous way. Cutting through all the distractions of life on earth, He offers peace and joy with eternal life. Don’t lose or ignore the real meaning of Christmas!