Sunday, December 15, 2013 - Luke 2:8-20

[Tek7]

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before[a] them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people He favors!
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20, HCSB

One of the many things I love about the Christmas story is that Christ's birth took place in a manner that no one would have seen coming. Instead of being born in a place of majesty, he was born in a stable. Instead of being acknowledged by those in positions of influence and authority, angels appeared to shepherds--widely regarded as among the lowest of the low in the culture of Jesus' time. Instead of being born to royalty or military leaders, he was born to two seemingly average people who proved obedient to God's commands--even when people must have assumed the worst about Mary's pregnancy and Joseph's decision to not break off the betrothal.

It is in part the unexpected nature of the Christmas story that gives me such hope. I'm not a member of the power elite. I'm not particularly handsome or spectacular. I know myself to be a terrible sinner--and I know Christ to be a great savior.

Far from the allegations of elitism leveled against Christianity, ours is a faith that eagerly welcomes the poor, the disenfranchised, the socially rejected. What a wonderful faith in such a wonderful savior!

 

[Abba San]

An Unecpected Christmas - that will preach. Thanks, Tek.