What if Christmas is a Lie?
Luke 2:1-20 KJV
What if Christmas is a lie? Fakes news? Could a virgin become pregnant? Could God become a man? Is there such a thing as angels? Would shepherds leave their sheep and risk their low-paying jobs to go look at a baby? Would God really enter the world in a barn? Finally, doesn’t the real news of Christmas sound too good to be true? God does this all for you. God’s own Son becomes a man to die for man’s sin, to die for your sin.
What if Christmas is a lie? Well let’s explore that possibility tonight.
Since we are experts in lying this should not be too difficult. We know that if you’re going to lie about something you need to be very careful.
- Don’t include too many details. Be vague about time and date and place.
- Don’t include any other names in your story – people will always check with other witnesses. If you do say other people were involved, make sure the person is respectable, not some trouble maker or low-life.
- Finally tell people what they want to hear, what they expect to hear – they’re far more likely to believe you.
With all that we know about lying, it shouldn’t be too difficult to test the Christmas Gospel according to Saint Luke to see if it is fake news.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) That’s not a good lie. There’s already two names and a huge event you could check with historians. Guess what you will find. Caesar Augustus did rule Rome, did have a big tax grab (nothing new there for government), while Cyrenius was governor of Syria. Luke also mentions specific places. You can still visit Rome or Syria today if you wish – although I wouldn’t recommend Syria.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) Once again, too many details – is there a town named Nazareth in Galilee? Yes. Was there a territory named Judea where there was a little town named Bethlehem? Still there to this day. Was there a King named David who was promised that one of his sons would rule the world forever? Yes there was and yes he did.
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Really, if you’re going to lie you should make more of the birth than this – if Mary’s Son is really God in the flesh shouldn’t His parents get to stay in a five star hotel or have a private birthing suite in the celebrity wing of Mayo Hospital in Jerusalem. How do you expect people to believe Jesus was born in some sort of cave or stable and laid in a food trough for the cows, unless of course the story is true?
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Now the story gets a little more believable – at least we have angels – some indication that this is a heavenly birth, but what Luke gives us with the angels he takes away with shepherds. Shepherds are among the worst witnesses you could have in Biblical times. Shepherds were one tiny step above a dog, the least of humanity – a bunch of rough men, who spent their lives outdoors, who drank too much Jaegermeister and stank too much to be around people. Couldn’t the angels have found a Mayor Kleis or a Police Chief Anderson or some priest or Levite to witness this miracle? Why shepherds? Who’s going to believe that?
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Angels singing to shepherds. I suppose it’s possible or maybe the shepherds just had a few too many pulls on the bottle in the brown bag. Then they are told to look for a sign – not a heavenly choir, not a shining star, not a red carpet and all sorts of journalists – just a baby, all wrapped up in his diaper, lying in a food trough – what sort of crib is that? Then the shepherds leave the sheep, risk their jobs, and head for Bethlehem. They believed the angels and found it just as they were told.
The story of Jesus’ birth isn’t a good lie. It’s not a lie at all – it’s the truth. History records a Caesar Augustus, a tax grab, and Governor Cyrenius. You can still visit the places where this happened – Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, although like I said, “Don’t go to Syria.” Non-Biblical literature indicates not only indicates that Jesus lived, but that He died and His followers insisted He rose again from the dead. That’s good news, because the message of Christmas is based on historical facts.
It’s not as if we worship some guy who shows up in the middle of the night when no one can see him, whose diet is milk and cookies, who lives in an imaginary northern locale, working with mythical creatures, to deliver presents to children all over the world using flying reindeer. No, Christmas is based on historical facts – the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, was baptized in the Jordan river, taught in Galilee, was arrested in Gethsemane, convicted in Jerusalem, crucified on Golgatha, and rose from the dead and appeared to over 500 specific witnesses, including about twenty whose names we know and who were known at the time of the resurrection. Those are facts of history and that’s good news, because the news for you is even better.
This Jesus of Nazareth, this man who is also God, came into the world to take your sins to His cross. By His sacrifice and death He buried your sins so deep in His tomb not even the devil could dig them up. Your Father in heaven, because of His Son, no longer sees your sins. He sees you through His Son – forgiven. Forgiveness probably wasn’t on your Christmas list. You might not think it is a necessity of life, but the truth is, forgiveness is the only gift you need. As you gather with your family tonight or tomorrow you will see that need – family members who have died, strained marriages, sibling rivalry and anger, grandchildren with cancer, children with money problems. God tells us the root of all our trouble is our sin. Tonight we celebrate that God Himself gave the one gift needful. The gift of Jesus is for you. Too good to be true? It sounds like it- but it isn’t. God gave His Son into the world and onto the cross to forgive you. That is a fact. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.