Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.  Matthew 7:13-14 HCSB

Scripture tells us of very few people who recognized baby Jesus for who he truly was. There must have been many, many people around. Scripture tells us that there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the inn. There is no mention of crowds of people lining up to see this baby born to save the world. There is no mention of any visitors other than the shepherds just after his birth and the wise men who we believe to be around the time he was two years old. There is no mention of people stopping in the street to see and touch Him. Only Simeon and Anna are mentioned as seeing Him at the temple and recognizing Him as the Messiah sent to save us from our sins. This would lead us to believe that the rest of the world went on about their lives oblivious to Him and His birth. Does that sound a lot different than our world today? Not really.

I doubt there are many adults in the world today who don’t know the real meaning of Christmas. I doubt there are many who don’t understand the true reason for the season. But many handle it like King Herrod. We are told that he summoned the wise men to determine when the star appeared. He wanted them to let him know where he could find baby Jesus. He thought baby Jesus had come into the world to take over his kingdom. Poor Herod, he just didn’t understand. When the wise men failed to bring him the information he had requested, he decided to just kill all boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under (Matthew 2:16). He was so intent on destroying Jesus that he slaughtered many innocent children in hopes that Jesus would be among them. Jeremiah had prophesied about this in Jeremiah 31:15. Like King Herrod, many don’t want Jesus to interrupt their lives. They consider him to be inconvenient.

The shepherds immediately stopped what they were doing, which was tending their sheep, and went to find Jesus. Once they found Him, they reported all they were told about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (Luke 2:17). Then in verse 20 we are told that they glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the temple at the time that baby Jesus was being brought in. Simeon then told God that he could die in peace having seen the Messiah (Luke 2:29). He also prophesied Jesus’ crucifixion (Luke 2:35).

Anna also saw Him at the temple and thanked God and spoke about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).

The wise men fell down and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts from their treasures (Matthew 2:11).

So, what’s your response? Have you sought Jesus Christ? Have you cried out to Him? Have you trusted in Him? Have you suffered any inconvenience whatsoever to praise and worship Him? Do you praise and worship Him? Do you glorify Him with the way you live your life each day? Do you fall down on your knees to worship Him? Do you bring Him gifts from the treasures He provides for you? Do you tell all who will listen about Him and how awesome He is?

We only know of this handful of people who understood who Jesus was at this time in His life. But of those who understood, God sent an angel, a star and His Holy Spirit to guide them to Jesus. We have His Word to lead us to Him. We have churches to gather with other believers and study His Word. We can pray to Him and call out to Him. He will meet us wherever we are. Are you spending time in God’s Holy Word each day? Are you worshiping Him and praising Him?

When Jesus was born very few acknowledged Him and worshiped Him and praised Him and told others about Him. Our Scripture passage tells us very few will get into heaven. Think about how you have responded to Him. Maybe you need to change that. Maybe you need to do more. I don’t know about you, but I intend to be one of the few. I hope you will join me.

Have a great day!