Have you ever thought of yourself as one of the characters in the Christmas story?
Christmas is just a few short weeks away. I’m curious what you do to get in the Christmas spirit. And I don’t mean all the running around shopping, cooking, going to parties, or that sort of thing. I’m talking about what you do to get into the real spiritual meaning of Christmas, celebrating the coming of Christ. What is your favorite part in the Christmas story?
I would imagine that every Christian church will, in one way or another, do something in their regular church services or special Christmas programs, to retell the story of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem.
There will be lots of little kids dressed up as angels and shepherds and sheep. Someone will get to play the roles of May and Joseph. And of course there are the three Wisemen. And don’t forget the angels.
I have never been to a Christmas pageant, program, or service that did not inspire me, make me laugh or cry, or overwhelm me with gratitude for Jesus coming to earth.
Nothing new in the Christmas story
Now, I imagine you are pretty familiar with everything that happens in the Christmas story. But because we’ve heard it so many times, sometimes it seems like there’s nothing new in the story to inspire us in a fresh way.
Recently my wife and I went to see the film, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which is based on a children’s book. It’s directed by Dallas Jenkins, who is also directing The Chosen TV series.
In the movie, a small town’s Christmas pageant takes an unexpected turn of events when the school bullies take over the major roles in the play. It all works out in the end. And everyone gets a fresh appreciation for the message of Christmas.
If you haven’t seen The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, I highly recommend it.
Who do you relate to in the Christmas story?
In appreciating the fresh perspective in this movie, it got me to thinking about which of the Bible characters in the Christmas story I relate to most.
I’ve never really thought much about that. I usually read the story as an observer, not as a participant.
Just now, thinking about this, I think I relate most to the
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 KJV
These shepherds as conscientiously going about their normal activities, caring for the sheep and being in community with each other. They’re just doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
I try to imagine what it would have been like when the angel appeared. The shepherds were totally afraid. They saw and heard the angel. The dark shy lit up. We’ve heard this story so many times, it almost loses the shock the angel’s appearance created.
Shepherds in the Christmas story
I also love the way the angel tells them exactly how and where to find baby Jesus.
Then there was a host of angels singing,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 KJV
Have you ever put yourself into the story as one of the shepherds? What would you have been feeling? What thoughts would be racing through your mind?
One of the things I really appreciate about the shepherds is what happens after all the angels are gone. The sky is dark again, but there’s still a glow in the shepherds’ hearts. They didn’t just go back to tending their sheep. They followed through with what the angel told them.
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. Luke 2:15-18 KJV
Obey the angels
I love the fact they went quickly. They felt an urgency. I can relate to that sense of urgency. When God’s angels give us instructions, it’s important to act quickly.
Because they obeyed the angels, they were among the very first people on earth to see Jesus, knowing he was the Messiah.
But they didn’t stop there. They told everyone they could what had happened. That’s pretty much how I feel. I want to tell everyone who will listen that Jesus is the Messiah.
There were probably lots of shepherds around Bethlehem that night. But the angels only appeared to a few of them. To be honest, sometimes I have identified with the shepherds who did not see or hear the angels, but heard about it later from the first set of shepherds.
If it seems like it’s always someone else who has a big revelation, a message from God, or a healing, you may feel left out in the cold, so to speak. I know I have.
But I’ve come to the conclusion that God is always talking to us, but we just don’t always hear His voice. Whenever I feel like one of the shepherds the angels did not appear to, it’s encouraging to remember that the first set of shepherds told everyone they knew about Jesus’s birth.
Being grateful that someone else is hearing the angels may be the first step to you hearing God’s voice another time.
Who are you in the Christmas story?
Who do you identify with in the Christmas story? There are lots of them to think about.
What about the wise men, the magi?
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
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. Matthew 2:1, 2 KJV
Have you traveled a great distance to come to Christ? I’m not really talking about a geographical distance, but have you come a long way spiritually from where you were in your life before Jesus was born in your heart? You may not think of yourself as being like one of the Wisemen, but you may be more like them than you realize.
Have you brought the costly gifts of repentance, self-sacrifice, and humility, and laid them at the feet of Jesus? Then you are very much like one of the Wisemen.
And they were receptive to the warning God sent them in a dream not to return to Herod, since his motives for wanting to see the new born King of the Jews was to destroy him.
Have you ever been warned by God not to do something you had planned to do? When for no apparent reason, God tells you not to do something, and you obey, you are very much like the Wisemen, especially if it has something to do with sharing the good news of Christ with the world.
You are not like Herod
Now, I’m going to assume you do not in any way identify with King Herod. He was secretly jealous of Jesus, whom the Wisemen referred to as the King of the Jews. Herod considered himself King of the Jews. He didn’t want anyone else to take away his power as king.
Now, I know you are not a Herod type of person, but have you ever felt a little twinge of jealousy when you hear about someone else winning an award you feel you should have won, getting a job you applied for but didn’t get, or when someone accomplishes something and gets recognition for it, but you did the same thing and no one notices?
If you ever do find yourself being tempted by those Herod thoughts, as always, gratitude comes to the rescue. Be genuinely grateful for the other folks who won, got the job or the recognition, or whatever it was.
At any point in his life, and especially in hearing about Jesus’s birth, King Herod could have made the choice to be humble, follow God’s commandments, and do what was right. But instead he tried to have Jesus killed.
If you ever feel tempted to kill someone’s joy, it’s a time instead to think of the blessings God has in store for you, when you live your life in obedience to God.
What if you had been the innkeeper?
So, who else is in the Christmas story you might identify with? What about the innkeeper? He, or she, didn’t know the pregnant woman at the door was soon to give birth to Jesus.
If you had been that innkeeper, how would you have felt telling a desperate husband and his very pregnant wife that you had no room for them in your inn? We don’t know anything about who was in charge of the inn. It could have been a man or a woman, someone grumpy and complaining or someone full of compassion. They may have been the one who told Mary and Joseph they could stay in the stable. We just don’t know.
Imagine yourself as that innkeeper. How would you have responded to Joseph and Mary? Maybe it was a good thing there was no room in the inn. It was probably very noisy and overcrowded and maybe not the best place to give birth to a baby.
The quiet stable was perhaps a much better place for Mary and Joseph to be. I did a podcast episode on this very topic in Episode 11: Thank God There Was No Room in the Inn When Jesus Was Born.
Finding room for Christ at Christmas
How does being like the innkeeper apply to how you live your life as Christmas approaches? Are you so busy with bustling activities and house guests that you don’t take some time to find a quiet space for Christ to come into your life?
I know, there are lots of activities around the Christmas season and we often race from one thing to the next. And sometimes these activities are very meaningful. Sometimes they’re not. But we especially need a little quiet time alone with God at this time of year.
Years ago, my parents sometimes were invited to three Christmas parties on a single Sunday afternoon before Christmas. And of course they loved to see their friends and join in the festivities. But they both always found time each day to pray and read their Bible, even at that busy time of year. I’ve always appreciated the example they set, and still do.
However busy you are and however crowded your life and your house are during the Christmas season, I encourage you to make some room, to set aside some time each day for quiet prayer and Bible study, even if just for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in your life.
Let’s talk about some of the other characters in the Bible story you might identify with.
Can you relate to any of the angels in the Christmas story?
Now you may not consider yourself to be like the angel who told the shepherds in the field about Jesus’s birth. Or one of the host of angels who sang to them.
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. 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. Luke 2:10-14 KJV
Maybe you’re more like one of those angels than you give yourself credit for. Have you ever told someone about the good news that Christ has come to bless the whole world? Have you ever told someone how to find Christ for themselves? Have you ever glorified God with others, being grateful for Christ’s presence in the world, acknowledging God’s will for peace and good will for all mankind?
Then you are essentially fulfilling the same role the angels did with the shepherds. You may not completely realize you are being an angel, a messenger of God, but that doesn’t take away from the fact you’re filling that role.
What about Gabriel?
Now if you hadn’t thought of identifying with one of the angels appearing to the shepherds, I’m pretty sure you haven’t thought of identifying with the angel Gabriel, who announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. You can read this part of the Christmas story starting in Luke 1:26.
Obviously, no one can ever take Gabriel’s place or be a substitute for Gabriel. That’s not what I’m suggesting. But I am encouraging you to think of the role Gabriel played in the Christmas story and how it might relate to you in some way.
Have you ever felt like God wanted you to tell someone some amazing news that was almost too good to be true? Have you ever been the one to tell someone else they were going to have a major role to play in helping people become aware of Christ’s presence? Maybe telling someone they’ve been appointed as a missionary for your church, or some other important church position that has the potential to help spread the gospel.
If so, then, to a very small degree, you have been like Gabriel. And if not yet, perhaps in the future. Be open and willing to embrace whatever God calls you to do, whatever message He asks you to deliver.
Can you see yourself as Joseph in the Christmas story?
Now what about Joseph? Have you ever identified with him: in the way he cared for Mary, was hurt because he thought she had betrayed him, but then got a clear message from God to embrace and be supportive of her and the child she would bare?
Have you ever over-reacted to news your wife, a close relative, or friend shared with you about what their plans were for the future, or what they felt God was calling them to do? I sure have. But it’s because I was looking at things only from my own limited perspective.
Once I heard them out, prayed about it, and asked God what He thought about the situation, I have seen things from a broader perspective and embraced the idea. Joseph was being called to play a supporting role to Mary, and he rose to the occasion beautifully.
Have you ever had to get over your pride of thinking you knew how things should work out and go along with the way God set things up? This has happened to me too many times to count.
While Joseph was struggling with the news that Mary was going to have a baby—just think of the anguish this news caused him—he didn’t just do something rashly. The Bible says he “thought on these things.” I take that to mean he poured out his heart in prayer to God. And look what happened.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20 KJV
Do you react or pray quietly to shocking news?
When you’re faced with startling news, do you over-react or do you quietly turn to God in prayer?
The other cool thing about Joseph is that, not only did God send an angel specifically to him to convey the news, he was receptive to what this angel told him. That shows a deep spiritual receptivity to what God was revealing to him and the role he would play.
Can you relate to that? Have you ever prayed and gotten a message from God, and because you accepted this message, it totally changed your perspective on how to approach and deal with a situation? Then you can relate to Joseph.
And of course, there’s Mary
Now you know who I’m going to mention next, and you’re probably already thinking: Hey James, there’s no way I can relate to Mary. I mean, she was the mother of Jesus. She was so pure and holy and trusting. I just don’t think I can see myself in her role at all.
But have you ever felt the presence of and been inspired by the Holy Spirit? What happened as a result?
When this happened to Mary, she became pregnant with Jesus. What holy purpose have you become “pregnant” with when the Holy Spirit comes over you?
Whenever you feel the Holy Spirit with you, and whenever you’re inspired as a result, God is using you, just as He used Mary, to accomplish His higher purpose. Never underestimate what God has called you to do for the greater good.
When you encounter the Holy Spirit, you may feel it solves your problems and resolves your issues. But there is always something much bigger going on related to the Cause of Christ when the Holy Spirit shows up. It makes you part of something much bigger than just your own situation.
Don’t forget the animals in the stable
Is there anyone else in the Christmas story you might relate to? What about the animals in the stable. I know, this is stretching things just a bit. But think of the role they played. They just went about their business, but their presence provided warmth and a down-to-earth atmosphere.
Have you ever just been going about your daily life, taking care of daily tasks, and by doing that have added stability to the scene around you. Just being you, instead of trying to be someone else, adds authenticity and the warmth of love to a situation. This can be a profound supporting role to those around you, just being yourself in every situation.
The most important person in the Christmas story
Now there’s actually one more person in the Christmas story that I haven’t mentioned yet. And if you didn’t feel you could relate to one of the angels or Mary, you’re probably convinced you couldn’t relate to this Bible character. But in a way, maybe he is the one we should relate to most of all.
It’s Jesus himself.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you are a Messiah figure in the world today. No one can ever take the place of Jesus, or any of these Bible characters. And no one on earth can ever say they are result of a virgin birth, as Jesus was.
How can you relate to Jesus?
But let’s take just a minute to think of how we can relate to Jesus. He was the Son of God. You and I are the sons and daughters of God. Jesus considered God as his Father and our Father. He said to Mary Magdalene on resurrection morning,
… I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 29:17 KJV
He also said,
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 23:9 KJV
To the degree we understand spiritually that God is our only Father, our only creator, our only source, as Jesus did, we can relate to Jesus. We can understand our relationship with God, our Father, just as Jesus understood his relationship with God, his Father.
The more you feel your oneness with God as your divine parent, the more you will actually relate to and understand Jesus and be able to follow him more closely. The more you understand Jesus as the Son of God, the more you will fulfill your role as the son or daughter of God.
Who are you in the Christmas story today?
As Christmas approaches, I hope you’ll take some time to ponder how you can relate to each of the characters in the Christmas story. You will never be Gabriel or one of the angels, Joseph, or Mary, one of the shepherds or Wisemen, and certainly not Jesus.
But the more you understand and appreciate their unique roles in the Christmas story, the more you will discover your God given purpose in sharing the good news of Christ.
What unique role will you play in the ongoing Christmas story today?
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
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Bible References
Luke 2:8 KJV
8 shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:14 KJV
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15-18 KJV
15 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.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Matthew 2:1, 2 KJV
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 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.
Luke 2:10-14 KJV
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Matthew 1:20 KJV
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
John 29:17 KJV
17 … I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Matthew 23:9 KJV
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
