The Christmas Story Characters Reveal How to Listen Better
What comes to mind when I state: God wants to speak to you. Do you believe the statement to be true? Do you wonder why He wants to talk to you? Do you jump to the conclusion that you’ve done something wrong? Do you wish He would speak louder or more specifically?
Throughout the entirety of scripture God is speaking. In Genesis alone, we read about God talking to Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Throughout the Old Testament, God communicates through the prophets, dreams and visions, a burning bush, a donkey, handwriting on the wall and more.
Then, in the New Testament, God speaks powerfully through His Son, Jesus Christ, followed by the Holy Spirit. He converses through scripture and through His followers declaring His salvation and truth.
Why Does God Speak?
God speaks because He is a good God who longs to bless us with what is best.
In Genesis 1:26 we learn God created us in His image. Therefore, we are relational, made for purpose, and with the ability to think and feel. When Adam and Eve sinned, our perfect relationship with the Creator was broken. We began to think and feel only about ourselves, so our purpose to live for and with God was hindered. God speaks to restore what we lost.
God Speaks Uniquely to Each of Us
The Holy Spirit pointed out to me that God spoke differently to each person in the Christmas story. God first communicated with Mary through the angel Gabriel, and then through the process of all the things she pondered. Elizabeth heard from God when her baby responded to Mary’s voice, and the Holy Spirit filled her. God conveyed direction to both Joseph and The Wise Men through dreams. The Wise Men also perceived and heeded God through their studying of scriptures and the heavens, along with a very specific star they followed. In addition, God pronounced the birth of Jesus to the lowly shepherds with a whole host of singing angels!
God speaks to us in different ways, but He is intentional about helping us hear His voice. God addressed Mary, the Wisemen and the shepherds where they were generally searching. In Luke 1 and 2, we read three times about Mary mentally processing over the events she was living. Mary was learning about who God is and how God moves. The Wisemen studied religion and the stars, and God used their fascination to reveal Himself. The shepherds were in the field guarding their sheep, so they were watchful at all hours of the day and night. Their vigilance provided an opportunity for God to show up and speak in a glorious manner.
God Speaks Today
God still speaks today. He speaks through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He speaks through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). He speaks through the person of Jesus Christ and the life He lived (Colossians 1:15-20). He speaks to us through our submission to Him (Romans 12:1-2). He speaks through creation (Psalm 19:1-2, Romans 1:20). God speaks through His followers (Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:1). And He has the power to still speak through bushes, donkeys and handwriting on the wall if He so desires.
The characters in the Christmas story teach us three things about hearing God speak.
Willingness to Listen
First, we must be willing to look and listen. We must place ourselves in positions to hear God speak. The Wise Men studied the stars, and the shepherds scrutinized all the surrounding area. Mary deliberated over every encounter surrounding the birth of the Savior. We can study scripture, listen to podcasts, attend church, serve the needy, pray, sing praise songs, give generously, and more.
Each person in the Christmas story stopped to listen. They didn’t set aside what was revealed to them thinking they would process it later when they had more time. They didn’t try and multi-task, listening to God speak, while also doing something on their personal to-do list. They became engaged with how God divulged Himself to them. We must choose to center our attention on discerning God’s voice.
Willingness to Obey
Second, we must be willing to respond in obedience. Mary declared, “I am the Lord’s servant…may it happen to me as you have said…” (Luke 1:28). Joseph took immediate steps of obedience after both dreams God gave him, even though the steps were risky. I love the shepherd’s response, they were so excited to go see the child, it appears they left the sheep completely unattended! In addition, The Wise Men traveled for years, leaving behind their families, and probably spending a good deal of money to reverently follow the star.
Allow me to remind you that several of the Christmas story characters asked questions. Mary asked Gabriel, “How can this be…?” (Luke 1:34) Joseph considered divorcing Mary when he first found out about the pregnancy (Matthew 1:19). Furthermore, the shepherds had a discussion amongst themselves before heading into town to see the Christ child (Luke 2:15). And finally, The Wise Men asked directions from Herod of all people (Matthew 2:1-2)
Obedience Requires Trust
When you Respond in willing obedience, it doesn’t mean you understand everything being asked of you. Nor does it mean you know exactly how to follow through with what God asks of you when you first begin. Instead, it means you are committed to submitting to whatever God declares.
I said this before, and it bears repeating; God speaks because He is a good God who longs to bless us with what is best. Peter tells us to set our hope completely on God’s grace and to be holy because God is holy. Admittedly, it sounds impossible, but God is the God of the impossible. He calls us to trust Him and be obedient.
“Therefore, with your minds read for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do no be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:13-16
Willingness to Repeat Our Story
Last, we must be willing to repeat our story. Mary told all that happened to her to Joseph obviously, but also to Elizabeth. Joseph told Mary about his dreams. The Wise Men shared with Herod. And those shepherds, they just told everyone!
Each time someone shared how God was speaking to him or her, others were impacted. Joseph’s faith in God was stretched by Mary’s story, and it led him to take fresh steps of obedience. Elizabeth and Mary strengthened and encouraged each other as they shared their stories together. The wisemen inadvertently challenged Herod’s control issues, and the beliefs of the religious leaders who Herod called for information. We don’t know the initial impact of the shepherds boisterous retelling of their encounter; however, we are challenged every year to see the glory and wonder of God when we read their story.
God spoke to me through the stories of how He spoke to those at His birth. Now, I’m sharing my experience with you. The power of our stories is immeasurable. Plus, it’s one of the ways God speaks to us, so the glory of God is multiplied.
Are You Willing?
Jesus came to earth to bring us salvation. He is the Word of God made flesh. Are you listening for His voice? Are you willing to respond in obedience to what God specifically declares to you? Are you willing to share your story so that someone else might hear the voice of God, and know Him as Savior and King?
“…Don’t be afraid, for [we] bring good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born…”
Luke 2:10-11
Amen and Amen.
Nativity Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
