LUKE 2

Very familiar factual accounts here. One of them even appears in the form of a monologue by Linus, in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. I marvel (tongue-in-cheek) each year that the networks continue to air this beloved program, given that Linus quotes Luke 2, word for word.

Of course I am referring to Jesus’ birth account. Naturally, the mind shifts to a cold stable, maybe in a cave somewhere, Mary giving birth, and so on. Closer examination tends to suggest that she and Joseph went to Bethlehem, would have stayed with relatives in their house, and while they were there, she gave birth. “No room in the inn” is probably a reference to the house, as opposed to what we normally think of as a hotel. There was no room there for her to have privacy to have a baby, so they used the area for cattle, likely attached to the house. What a humble situation for the Savior. OK, so I’ve taken some fun out of the story, yet it is the likely scenario, besides, look at all that surrounds this event.

One angel appears to the shepherds, a glorious light appears, the message of the Savior being born is delivered, and suddenly an enormous number of other angels appears to sing and rejoice. Wow! I would have loved to have seen and heard that! The throne room depicted in Revelation will just have to suffice. Given the recent reading through Daniel, we have a bit of insight into angels’ behavior. Though they are not privy to the details of God’s redemptive plan, they nonetheless celebrate with God over such occasions as the miraculous birth of Jesus. We should never forget that the angels saw God do something eternally important here, and they know it.

Simeon in the temple could very well be my favorite story in the New Testament. It might be a close second to one we’ll cover in a couple days. Regardless, we are never told how Simeon was told that he would see the Christ before he (Simeon) died. But he was, and he did. His faith, and how God revealed the truth to him gives me goosebumps, to be honest. Simeon is pleased to die in peace, for God kept His promise to him.

Simeon uses a phrase that I have admittedly missed up to now. He calls Jesus “a sign to be opposed.” Indeed, Jesus Christ must be faced by everyone, and He will either be accepted or rejected by all. Simeon got it. OK, he had help from God, but this is a great verse to bring to mind to an unbeliever who has heard all the other verses over and over.

Fast forward now to Jesus’ and His family’s return to Galilee, to Nazareth. Matthew inserts the flight to Egypt for safety, so this return home comes sometime after that event. Joseph and Mary were faithful, going to Jerusalem each year for the Passover, great examples to their children (Scripture elsewhere shows He had siblings). Jesus is 12 years old, and he stays behind to talk with the teachers in the temple. The people around Him were simply amazed at His understanding and His answers; apparently they were asking Him questions, too.

And Jesus, fully God, kept increasing humanly in knowledge and stature. He was becoming more and more important to the plight of mankind. And God used this occurrence to plant a memory into Mary and Joseph, reminding them who His Father really was.

SO WHAT…?

So, I should never get tired of the old, well-known stories. Angels still rejoice at the presence of Christ. The message of the Savior should be just as fresh to me now as it was to the shepherds then.

So, do I present Jesus as the babe in the manger, or as a sign to be opposed? Does my life center on the truth of Christ? Do I weigh my life choices by looking to this “sign”, as Simeon referred to Him?

So, after this chapter, the stage is set for His ministry. This ministry has since been handed to me, to you, to the church, to all who believe. Let’s go tell someone.