Christ was born at a remarkable time in history. The Roman Empire was not at war, the roads had been built and were safe for travel, most people spoke or understood Greek (making communication possible), and many were beginning to question the religious practices of the day. The Romans had adopted the Greek gods but thought of them as national figures, not personal deities. Many Greeks believed themselves to have advanced philosophically to the point that they were above believing the crude stories of Homer’s gods. Neither the Greeks nor the Romans believed a god could be personal or care about an individual’s needs. 

The Jewish community was, for the most part, a series of rules to obey—and even the Jewish leaders disputed how that obedience should be accomplished. The Pharisees disagreed with the Sadducees, and much of what took place in the temple was about running the institution and maintaining the schedule. The synagogue was a business to run, and worship was about a routine more than a relationship. 

The world was ready for genuine religion, with genuine followers who worshiped a genuine God. Jesus chose this remarkable time to enter the world. The wise men were searching for the truth—and they found him. Anna and Simeon had been waiting for the Messiah, and they recognized him. Joseph and Mary knew Jesus was the Messiah, and they protected him. 

Our culture today shares remarkable similarities to the culture of Jesus’ day. The internet has made any number of “gods” a possibility. The intellectual population often considers themselves above the ability to follow a religion, believing it to be something for people of lesser IQ. Even those who believe religion to have value can limit it to something that is “good,” but they don’t apply to their personal lives. Many of God’s people attend worship but leave the building without having experienced worship. The world is ready for genuine religion, with genuine followers who worship a genuine God. 

This year, let’s not settle for anything but a genuine Christmas. Pray often about that. Jesus came to change the way people think . . . May he begin with us.