The Bible account of Jesus’ birth is, by any stretch of imagination, extraordinary. It was also monumental, because it marked the arrival of the long-promised Christ, Saviour, and future king of the world. While we do not know the reactions of many people, some are described for us.

Prior to the actual birth, Mary and Joseph were surprised by the pregnancy. This is because they both knew that the baby could not be Joseph’s, and Mary knew that she was a virgin (Matthew 1:19-25; Luke 1:26-35).

We also know about somebody who was not only surprised but very angry when he learnt about the actual birth. King Herod was incensed that a ‘king of the Jews’ had been born. He even tried to get the infant Jesus killed by destroying all the young children in the area (Matthew 2:16-17).

He had been alerted by the arrival of wise men, or magi, who had travelled far to see the young Jesus. There is no evidence that they were surprised by the birth. Instead, they seemed to have been expecting it. They had seen ‘his star when it rose’, knew that he was born to be a king, and came with gifts to worship him. King Herod’s chief priests and scribes were also much more aware. They were able to tell Herod and the wise men that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1-12).

Another group of people who were told about the birth were shepherds near Bethlehem. They were excited and then overjoyed with the good news from the angels that a ‘Saviour, Christ the Lord’ had been born; there is no record that they were aghast (Luke 2:8-20).

Other people were well aware of the Old Testament prophecies about the Christ. In the temple, Mary and Joseph met Simeon and Anna, both of whom were expecting this special person to be born around that time (Luke 2:25-38). Indeed, many Jews had wondered whether John the Baptist was the Christ, as they were ‘in expectation’: expectation that Christ would soon come (Luke 3:15). However, they were later confused when arguing about Jesus himself. This was partly because they too were aware that he was to be born in Bethlehem, but assumed that he came from Nazareth (John 7:41-42).

The account of these reactions may be interesting, but is it important? Yes: because there are lessons for us. Jesus has said very clearly that he is coming back and that we should be ready for him (eg Luke 12:35-48). We can only prepare for this by reading the Bible to find its exact message and advice. We do not want to be taken by surprise when Jesus comes. We do not want to deny that it is Jesus. Surely, we want to be like Simeon and Anna who were faithfully waiting and praying for God’s promised Christ to come.

There have been several plots to assassinate prominent people. In the United Kingdom Guy Fawkes night was instigated to remember the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Guy Fawkes and fellow Catholic conspirators attempted, but failed, to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James 1.

There were several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler, including a famous conspiracy by several people in 1944. In contrast, Abraham Lincoln was actually mortally wounded by a gunshot fired while he was in a theatre in 1865.

Two thousand years ago the Jewish religious leaders conspired to have a divinely appointed king, Jesus Christ, publicly executed on false charges. They hated Jesus for his claims (which they erroneously considered outrageous), and his growing popularity with the people.

At face value they succeeded. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples betrayed Jesus to them for money, and Jesus was captured, tortured and crucified between two criminals.

But the Jewish leaders did not realize that this death of Jesus was all in the plan of God.

For Jesus was:

“…delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”

Acts 2:23

Moreover, Jesus willingly gave his life, as he had said:

“…I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord…”

John 10:17-18

The apostle Peter quoted Psalm 2 describing the futility of their scheming:

“Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?  The kings of the earth set themselves,  and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed”

Acts 4:25-26

And later in the Psalm (verse 4) God is described as laughing in heaven and holding them ‘in derision’ for their folly.

God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus was not eradicated. Jesus could not be eradicated. And he is now immortal and can never die.

However clever we think we are, and however ingenious our schemes, we can never thwart God. He has a plan for the earth and it will happen.

Whether we are part of that plan depends on our response now.

The General Election is imminent. Some voters are still undecided about whether and how to vote. What about the followers of Jesus?

It might seem strange that professing Christians do not all agree on how they should vote. One could argue that they should all do what God wants. Of course it is not that simple, as God does not communicate directly with people nowadays. We have to make our own decisions based on a study of God’s Word, the Bible.

But actually, it doesn’t matter. The Bible teaches that God is in control, working in human affairs, and he will ensure that the government is what He has ordained. This was an important lesson that the king of Babylon had to learn.

….the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.

Daniel 4:17

Years later, the apostle Paul told the Christian believers in Rome (which was becoming increasingly hostile to them):

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment (Romans 13:1-2)

It is important to pray for our government, whether we like them or not.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way

1 Timothy 2:1-2

For the believer is associated with Jesus, not with human governments. At his trial Jesus said:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.

John 18:36

The disciples of Jesus, like all true believers from the creation of the world, trust in God not in human beings.

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

Psalm 146:3

For despite their best efforts, even if they are well intentioned, no human being can save us. They cannot save us from natural disasters, from economic crises, from ill health, and most certainly not from death. God can.