Luke 2:1-20
Luke 2:1-20
Merry Christmas in May!
This is a super familiar passage to us as we’ve probably heard it read at least once a year for our entire lives if we grew up going to church at Christmas time. What hit me this time is the ridiculous contrast between who Christ is and how He arrived on this earth.
Jesus Christ is our Savior and the Head of the Church. He is our Redeemer, the Son of the living God, and has existed forever. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Lion of Judah and promised Messiah that was prophesied about for hundreds of years. Yet, Jesus didn’t come to earth as a conqueror and King, but as a baby. Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, but in what is assumed to be a cave where animals were kept. He wasn’t born to a well-off family, but one in which they had to sacrifice two birds to fulfill the purification rituals in the Law because they couldn’t afford a yearling lamb. He was wrapped in strips of cloth for swaddling, not expensive fabrics of luxury. He wasn’t worshiped by those of great importance, but recognized as Savior of the world by shepherds, some of the least respected people of that society.
The only part of this story that really lines up with what we would expect is the multitude of angels praising God and announcing the birth of His Son, though they did this in the presence of shepherds, not a crowd. The “ordinary-ness” of the birth of Christ versus the glory of the host of Heaven caused “all who heard it to wonder” (Luke 2:18).
God continuously works in ways that we wouldn’t predict Him to work. God used these unexpected circumstances to deliver salvation to those who would accept it. He can use anyone, anything, and any place for His glory and ultimate purposes.
What did you see in the story of Jesus’ birth today that you’ve never seen before?
By: Kaitlin White
Merry Christmas in May!
This is a super familiar passage to us as we’ve probably heard it read at least once a year for our entire lives if we grew up going to church at Christmas time. What hit me this time is the ridiculous contrast between who Christ is and how He arrived on this earth.
Jesus Christ is our Savior and the Head of the Church. He is our Redeemer, the Son of the living God, and has existed forever. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Lion of Judah and promised Messiah that was prophesied about for hundreds of years. Yet, Jesus didn’t come to earth as a conqueror and King, but as a baby. Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, but in what is assumed to be a cave where animals were kept. He wasn’t born to a well-off family, but one in which they had to sacrifice two birds to fulfill the purification rituals in the Law because they couldn’t afford a yearling lamb. He was wrapped in strips of cloth for swaddling, not expensive fabrics of luxury. He wasn’t worshiped by those of great importance, but recognized as Savior of the world by shepherds, some of the least respected people of that society.
The only part of this story that really lines up with what we would expect is the multitude of angels praising God and announcing the birth of His Son, though they did this in the presence of shepherds, not a crowd. The “ordinary-ness” of the birth of Christ versus the glory of the host of Heaven caused “all who heard it to wonder” (Luke 2:18).
God continuously works in ways that we wouldn’t predict Him to work. God used these unexpected circumstances to deliver salvation to those who would accept it. He can use anyone, anything, and any place for His glory and ultimate purposes.
What did you see in the story of Jesus’ birth today that you’ve never seen before?
By: Kaitlin White
1 Comment
I just love everything about this story! It demonstrates so well how our humanness can muddy our thinking and perceptions. I am so grateful for a God who is so patient, gracious, merciful and perfect. Thanks for this beautiful post today, Kaitlin.