“God could, had He pleased, have been incarnate in a man of iron nerves, the Stoic sort who lets no sigh escape Him. Of His great humility He chose to be incarnate in a man delicate sensibilities who wept at the grave of Lazarus and sweated blood in Gethsemane.”
C.S. Lewis
The simplicity of the story of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of a baby, is also what makes it so very profound. Our Savior, came not as a triumphant king, but as a baby born in the most humble of beginnings. Born in a stable. Placed in a manger. A birth witnessed by animals and the angels and celebrated by shepherds. The most significant of nights of which almost no one knew . . . yet the most significant of nights that would forever alter the course of history. A night that brought eternal hope to a perpetually weary world. Without that baby we have no Messiah. Without Christmas no Resurrection. Without the Resurrection no hope.
How thankful I am I serve a God willing to come to earth as a babe knowing we could never be good enough to reach Him. How thankful I am for those humble beginnings just over 2000 years ago. How thankful I am for the hope of Christ today.
From Luke Chapter 2
Christ Born of Mary
1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Whatever you are facing this year. However your Christmas may look, may you know that our hope lies not in celebrations or gifts or gatherings, but in a savior born in a manger, crucified as a man, and risen as our Messiah. May you know true hope and peace this Christmas.
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
– Isaiah 9:6-7
Copyright 2020, Courtney G Davis, All Rights Reserved
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