The real joy of Christmas is that without Christ it’s just a story

DAVID JONES on the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus Christ

ON the BBC’s ‘Today’ programme last Christmas a distinguished atheist revealed that his Christmas routine included attending a midnight Christmas Eve Service. Asked why, he replied that it was the most beautiful story ever told and he didn’t want it to be forgotten. My immediate thought was why? There are many ‘beautiful stories’ in literature, stories of kindness and love, of compassion and romance which could easily fall into that category.

From an atheistic point of view the Christmas story would not be that unique or even special. Could it be then that the story of Christmas is so engaging with the mystery of God’s love and grace that it resounds with truth?

What can we say about this story? It begins with that long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph finding themselves of all places a stable through the good graces of a harassed innkeeper. Soon after, Mary gave birth to a boy, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in the only secure place she could find – the feeding trough. Next came the shepherds, bursting in from the fields, eager to see the baby that the angels had told them to look for, ‘lying in a manger’. They worshipped him, in wonder of all that had happened that night.

Finally, at some point came the so called ‘Wise Men’. Today they would be called astrologers. Whoever they were, their influence at that point in history was immense.

All over the ancient world their predictions were regarded with awe, but they knelt before Jesus and offered Him gifts. They were the first Gentiles to recognise a divine and kingly power and purpose in the baby in Bethlehem. 150 years later bishop

Clement of Rome described this as the moment when the old order of fear and fate gave way before this new era of love and grace. What a story!

Again, this year we come – and worship the new born King. The real joy of Christmas is that without Christ it’s just a story. With Christ it rings with the truth that has spanned the ages.

A beautiful story - God is now with us – No longer do we walk in darkness but in the light and joy of Jesus – Emmanuel God with us. Come and worship Him this Christmas.