The hidden message of the Christmas story
The Christmas story begins with the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah announcing that despite the advanced age of himself and Elizabeth his wife, they would bear a son whose name should be called John. He doubts this and is made dumb until the day the prophecy is fulfilled and interestingly, despite him being dumb, his wife gets the same idea of what her baby should be named,
“So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.
But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father — what he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.”
(Luke 1:59–63)
Six months later, Gabriel the angel appears to Mary and announces that she will have a Son without a male intervention.
“Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”
(Luke 1:30–31)
We know the rest of the story, this baby grows up to become kind of important. In this story, it turns out the names are very important. It is important to God that Zechariah’s baby is named “John”. It is important to God that Mary’s baby is named Jesus? Why?
Let us break down the meaning behind the names of the characters in the Christmas story.
Zechariah (or Zacharias as the Greek transliteration puts it) means “God remembers”.
Elizabeth means, among other possible meanings such as “God’s abundance or God is my oath) means “Oath of God” or “God’s promise”).
John or Yohanan means “God is gracious”.
Mary is the same as the Hebrew variant “Miriam” which means “Rebellion” (Could also mean “bitterness”).
Jesus is the same as the Hebrew variant “Yeshua” which means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation”.
Entrenched in these names and the story of the bearers of these names is the hidden message of the very narrative of salvation.*
So when God remembered (Zechariah) His oath or promise (Elizabeth), His graciousness (John) caused him to bring forth salvation (Jesus) from the very rebelliousness (Mary) of mankind.
Hence Zechariah under inspiration of the Holy Spirit says,
“To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham”
(Luke 1:72–73)
And again, Simeon, after taking the baby Jesus in his hands says to God,
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation”
(Luke 2:28–32)
The implication of all this, is that to reject this salvation that is Jesus is to remain in rebellion and God will punish all rebellion embodied in the devil and his angels, as it is written,
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels”
(Matthew 25:41)
The precise reason Christmas is so joyful is because it is God’s final effort to save mankind in the midst of their rebellion. It is God’s olive branch, literally God crying out,
“But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob;
And you have been weary of Me, O Israel.
You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings,
Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not caused you to serve with grain offerings,
Nor wearied you with incense.
You have bought Me no sweet cane with money,
Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices;
But you have burdened Me with your sins,
You have wearied Me with your iniquities. I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance…”
(Isaiah 43:22–26)
In the midst of rebellion, God decides to be gracious. That is good news!
The flip side however is that there is nothing left but judgment for the one who refuses this final offer,
“ For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
(Hebrews 10:26–31)
As we approach the Christmas season, let us reflect on its message and ponder on how we could bring those who persist in rebellion to Christ. How could we introduce those who only step into church during Christmas for the carols to the person of Christ? The eternity of souls hangs in the balance. Christmas lights and reindeers and Santa Clauses will pass away, but the souls of men live forever, either eternally with Christ or separate from Christ in the confines of hell.
Think about this…
*Article relies on a highly Midrashic method of exegeting scripture in respect of the names. The author is aware the names could have a variety of meanings and has chosen the meanings suitable to make his point.
