Luke 2:16-18 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
This Christmas season is upon us. This pastor’s heart is always overwhelmed this time of year. I come down with a severe case of “deer-in-the-head-lights” syndrome. Every December, I look at my to-do list with eyes wide open, paralyzed in how to get it all done. But this dissolves when I revisit the birth narratives of Christ. There, I’m reminded of the biblical focus of Christmas. God’s supremacy, alongside of His humility, set the tone for the rest of the Gospel. The Gospel message is tuned to this key.
The Father’s power is on display: angelic pronouncements, prophetic dreams, a supernatural star, a virgin birth. He invades Satan’s stronghold over Israel and the world. And the Son quietly enters through natural human birth, through a teenage young woman, stewarded by a young noble carpenter. They arrive in Bethlehem, submitting to Rome (Luke 2:1-3). And the birth happens in a barn. What humility! And this was the best way…the way that most pleased God to begin the rescue mission. The whole scene sounds forth the major chords of the Gospel: majesty, meekness, and mercy.
It’s no wonder the shepherds had something to say! They saw the majesty, “…suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…” They heard the mercy, “…on earth peace among those, with whom He is pleased.” And they saw the meekness, “…and they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” Verse 17 says they immediately made known “the statement” which had been told them about the Child. Luke 2:10-11 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
This Christmas, we have the same “statement” to make known. It is indeed Good News from heaven. It is for all people. A Savior has been born, who is Christ the Lord. Be eager to share your faith this Christmas, as an overflow of your love for Jesus. Be eager to share your faith, as an overflow of your awe of God! Here are a couple of basic verses to be armed with (Eph. 6:15)
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Ephesians 2:8 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Thanks! See you Sunday,
Pastor Dave
