By Bishop Hollis Charles, Bethel Gospel Assembly

Mary was born into a very poor family, but her parents were God-fearing. She was brought up in a godly atmosphere and lived a holy and pure life. According to three biblical writers, she was a virgin.{{more}}

1. Isaiah 7:14 states “Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign, behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

2. Matthew 1:23 declares “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call him name Emmanuel which being interpreted is, God with us.”

3. The author of Luke 1:26-27 affirms “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.”

Note: The Bible firmly asserts that Mary was a virgin. Who is a virgin? A virgin can be defined as a woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man or a girl who has never had sexual intercourse or a male who has never had sexual intercourse. To be a virgin is NOT a sin!

Teenage pregnancy is a major problem in St Vincent and the Grenadines; thus this creates another problem in our Vincentian society and many children are born out of wedlock. Mary was chosen by God because she was qualified; she was a virgin. God is still looking for virgins today! Do we have any virgins in our churches today?

In the book of Luke chapter 1 verses 30-31, “the angel said to Mary, you shall have a baby, his name shall be called Jesus.” Verse 34 states “Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” A man never touched her nor did she have sexual intercourse with a man. Verse 35 states “The angel said the Holy Ghost shall come upon you and the power of the highest shall over shadow thee, so the baby born to you will be utterly Holy, the Son of God.” The angel removed all doubts that were plaguing her mind. The angel’s words were fulfilled; Mary had her baby.

LET US EXAMINE THE WISE MEN

1. They went with GREAT EXPECTATION

Matthew chapter 2 verse 2 states “Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Wise men and women will always seek Jesus. Jesus declares in his word “seek and you shall find.” Isaiah 55:6 declares, “seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon the Lord while he is near.” People must seek him early in life while they are youthful.

2. They had DIVINE DIRECTION

Matthew Chapter 2 verse 9 reveals “And lo, the star, which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” The wise men were given directions pertaining to the location of baby Jesus. According to Matthew chapter 2 verse 11, the wise men found the child with Mary his mother. They mentioned previously in verse 2 we have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with GREAT EXCEEDING JOY.

Exceed – to pass or go beyond, to proceed beyond the given or supposed limit, measure or quantity of. To out go or surpass, to excel and to go too far.

All of God’s people need divine direction; we must let Christ direct us because without him we are lost and cannot find the right path. Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6 states “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct they path.” Will you all him to direct you this holiday season?

3. They were in GREAT JUBILATION

It means to be joyful, to rejoice and be happy. The wise men were filled and thrilled with ecstatic joy. Today many people are searching for joy, but they cannot find it because some are looking in the dance clubs, in people and other things. True joy can ONLY be found in JESUS. The wise men rejoiced when they found baby Jesus, likewise God’s people should rejoice. The righteous have something great to rejoice about; they have Salvation. Psalm 33:1 states: “Rejoice in the Lord oh ye righteous.”

Do you have joy in your life today? Jesus came into the world to bring joy to all that are sad. In the book of Psalm 16:11 King David said, “Though wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more.” The more joy you have, the longer you are going to live. This joy is not for one day, but forever. The joy of the Lord is our strength! The devil is trying to steal your joy and some Christians may even lack joy. Today, say Oh Lord restore my joy!

4. They SHOWED HUMILIATION

Matthew chapter 2 verse 11 says the wise men fell down and worshiped him. Note carefully, they fell down signifies humility or lowliness. They were not too proud to bow down and worship the babe. Some Christians may be too proud, the word of God declares we muse humble ourselves and he will lift us up. Jesus was not a proud man. Philippians 2:8 proclaims “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The way up is down!

5. It was a TIME OF ADORATION

We have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him. Worship is only for divine persons and man was created to worship God not Mary or Haile Selassie. Satan has stolen worship from some of God’s people; Jesus was the centre of their worship. Jesus is looking for true worshippers. Are you a true worshipper? Psalm 95:6 states “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

It is Satan’s desire that everybody should worship him. In the book of Matthew 4:9-10 he said to Jesus, “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him ONLY shalt thou serve.” Christmas is a special time for worship and reflection on the goodness of God. Are you a true worshipper or spectator? O come let us adore him! The wise men fell down and worshipped him; it was not only a time of adoration, but presentation.

6. It was a TIME OF PRESENTATION

According to Matthew 2:11 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Many Christians like to receive gifts, but they don’t like to give. The word of God declares “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” I believe more gifts are bought during the month of December than any other time of year. Also more money is spent on things that cannot satisfy and many people depend on these things to make them happy. True and lasting happiness is in Jesus Christ alone. Some people depend on a man or woman to make them happy but the “arm of flesh will fail you.”

The wise men opened their treasures and presented gifts to baby Jesus. You can open your hearts today and let him in. the Apostle Paul firmly states in Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Will you give him your life this festive season?

Shepherds played an important role at the birth of Christ the book of Luke 2:10-11 states “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.” What exactly were the good tidings? It simply meant a Saviour was born! A lot of people specialize in bad or nasty tidings, but the church of Jesus Christ must spread good tidings to all people.

The shepherds were excited; there was a host of angels glorifying God in the highest saying, “peace on earth and good will to all men.” Man is seeking peace, but he cannot find true peace until he meets the author of peace, the prince of peace himself, who is Jesus Christ. Are you troubled? Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him. Jesus said, “peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”

Luke 2:17 states “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Let us share Christ this season, for “he is the reason for the season.”

7. The shepherds PROCLAMATION

The word proclaim mean to make known by public announcement, to publish and spread abroad and to herald. Fear not, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. Black, white, educated and illiterate, every tribe and nation must hear the glad tidings. Jesus Christ is the only Saviour for the human race.

The church must proclaim it and every born again believer must publish the good news. I am tired of bad news, bad news in the newspapers, on the radio and on television! The church of Jesus Christ has the best news. Let us arise and proclaim it, preach it, practise it and live it until Jesus returns. He is not coming back as a baby in a manger, but he is coming as the KING OF KINGS AND LORDS OF LORDS. Take him into your life before it is too late.