Christmas - Indecent Exposure

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
Ok, I’m not God (something we can all be grateful for), but if I was God and I was going to show myself to the world, I would certainly not have done it the way God Himself did. Placing myself inside of an average Mary won’t get me noticed. And doing it before this couple was married could certainly cause a scam. No, I’d have written it in the sky or spoken audibly world-wide or have chosen someone famous or at least had a better marketing plan. But instead, this message, God’s message of hope and forgiveness, is given to a humble couple to carry and bring forth. It seemed, in essence, to be indecent exposure. But was, in fact, the greatest plan ever!
Then, adding what seems to be more indecent exposure, that very same message is given to lowly farmers,
“…and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Yet these shepherds went, checked out Jesus, and then,
“spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
The under exposed was becoming exposed!
As if this weren’t evidence enough, for the rest of His childhood, before Jesus began His ministry, all we read about Him is one sentence:
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Seems indecent exposure for the Savior of the world, don’t you think? Yet this is the story of Christmas. God’s choosing common people to carry and bring forth His uncommon message of grace & forgiveness!
So What?! In many ways still today, Jesus continues to get indecent exposure. We are told we can’t use his name in prayers at sports events or told not to give out Bibles in schools. This actually makes sense, God never chose the world as the means through which He would communicate his message, He chooses common believers like you & me! Christmas is a great time to talk about Jesus with your friends! Ask them what they like about Christmas, what Christmas is about, what gifts they hope to get and give. If you do, most often they’ll ask you and then you can share with them the good news of Jesus! I’ve also listed a number of ways Here to BE Jesus this season as well. May God allow all of us to give Jesus DECENT exposure this season!